The Waterspouts at Patea.

Manawatu Herald, 7 March 1893, Page 3

The Waterspouts at Patea.

A correspondent of the vhronicle says : — Not a little excitement was caused in Patea about 8 o'clock yosterday (Thursday) morning by the appearance ot bix waterspouts away oat at sea. The sight was to many quite a new One, and people gathered together in great numbers at any point of vantage, so that they might be able to get a better view of the strange phenomenon. The water could easily be seen carried up by the great velocity of the wind/ and then descending again a good distance away from the main column, while a good deal of the water of course, mingled with the clouds, for soon the sky presented an inky , blackness, and many people of a nervous temperment could hardly bear the strain put upon them by the thoroughly oppressive atmosphere. They (the waterspouts) travelled northwards before the strong southerly wind which had sprung up, and soon disappeared from view, making people wonder what was going to happen next. They had not long to wait to find oat, for a terrible hailstorm, for this time of the year, took place. Soon the streets were covered with hail, but it did not lie long and soon the sky commenced to clear ; but away to the north end of the town a whirlwind had passed along while the hailstorm was at its height, carrying destrucin its path. One neat little homestead was almost dismantled, the whole of the inside being in quite a state of confusion — paper torn from the walls and everything moveable knocked about pell-mell, so that it will have to be entirely refitted. Many houses in the vicinity entirely escaped, The wind careered north- \ wards making almost a complete ] wreck of the house lately occupied by Mr Holloway, carrying the iron into paddocks a long distance away and twisting it into all shapes. As it travelled along it caught several sheds and outhouses, in every case completely twisting them asunder. One little boy, riding in a paddock, was blown from his horse and nearly blinded with the grass as it was torn •up by the wind and dashed into his j face, his hat was found a long dis tanee away. The horse he was riding was observed to rear several times, and it is thought this was mainly due to the action of the wind On the Whennakura block, several sheep were seen to be carried far into the air, and afterwards fall heavily on their backs. One outshed was unroofed and the cart carried some distance into the air. The telegraph wires in several places were twisted like whips, and men were seen with ladders righting them, which was an easy matter when serenity prevailed, for they almost righted themselves after they had been unwound a. little.