EXTRACTS FROM ENGLISH PAPERS.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 35, 29 November 1842, Page 2

EXTRACTS FROM ENGLISH PAPERS.

For the last three weeks the sun lias been excessively hot, some days exceeding the heat experienced during the warmest day in the remarkable summer of 1826. Saturday and Sunday evenings there were showers of rain in this city; but on the latter day, about three o’clock, we understand that, in the neighbourhood of Askeaton, very heavy rain fell, accompanied by what is unusual at this season, a high wind, the violence of which bent large trees to the earth. On Monday, a cloud descended over the Boggra mountain, and a sudden darkness came on, which terrified every one within its range. It shortly after opened, and a torrent ‘ of water fell, which some say was caused by the bursting of a water-spout, which tore up the surface of the mountain, and, rushing along with tremendous velocity, drove everything before it, while thunder and lightning was loud and vivid. At this moment Charles Colthurst, Esq., of Clonmoyle, had a number of men, horses, and butts, engaged in repairing a weir in the Dripsey river, and, perceiving the torrent rolling down the mountain, he noticed the men to untackle the horses, and escape. They instantly obeyed the order, and had merely time to get on high ground, when the flood rushed over the place where.they had just before stood, at a height of six feet from the previous level of the water, being higher than it was ever known to rise in the wettest winter season. The water was thick with the earth and turf mould which it

tore from the mountain, and the quantity of gravel and stones it forced with violence along the river, drove the trout in on the banks, several of which were seen springing from the torrent. The flood brought down quantities of furniture, and small casks and firkins. We also understand that dead hares were seen sweeping along in the current. At the same moment a dreadful thunder-storm was felt on a mountain bog, called Raheen, within about four miles of Macroom. Here there were a number of men engaged cutting turf on the mountain at the time, one of whom was struck by the lightning, and killed on the spot. Plis name was Daniel Ring, a man of about fifty years of age, and the father of six children. He was killed while endeavouring to fly with others from the storm, several of whom were severely injured by the fluid. His unfortunate wife happened to be on the mountain at the instant, and, seeing her husband knocked down, ran distracted towards him, and found him quite dead—his hair and whiskers completely burnt off. The widow was also near losing her life, for, while she lay disconsolate on the body, the rain, which fell in a dreadful torrent, rolled down the mountain, and carried her along with it a considerable distance, until she was with difficulty rescued by those who had been at work with the deceased. Small farmers and labourers residing in this neighbourhood will be severe sufferers, their turf and crops having been washed from the mountains. In the neighbourhood of Macroom, it appears that considerable damage has been done to poor cottiers; while in the town, within half an hour from the time the rain commenced, a flood, two feet high, rushed through the streets. In the neighbourhood of Mallow, the Boggera line of road became so impassable from the flood, that the passengers and coachman had to unharness the horses, and take the vehicle themselves over the deep ruts cut in the road. The Blackwater river at Mallow became so suddenly swollen, that four young men who were bathing, were hurried off for a considerable distance, and were with difficulty saved. —Cork Constitution. After an unusually long period of dry sultry weather, the metropolis and neighbourhood were visited Tuesday afternoon, about half-past four o’clock, with a thunder storm, accompanied with a slight fall of rain. • The thunder was very loud; but there was not much lightning.. The rain will do incalculable good to the crops generally, although some injury has been sustained by the fruits in several gardens and orchards. The thunder-storm lasted about an hour, and we have not heard that any accident happened. —London Paper.

Rioting in Galway. —The Pilot of last nigfct publishes an extract of a letter from Galway, which states that dreadful excitement prevailed in that town owing to the scarcity of provisions; that the mob had become so dreadfully riotous, that the military and police had to be called out to check the rioters, but were overwhelmed by the force of the latter, and obliged to retreat to their barracks. The cir- : cumstances under which this “retreat” was executed will be found in the following narration of the whole proceedings as they appear in the Galway Vindicator of yesterday : —“ From an early hour on Monday the fishermen of the Claddagh, with their wives and children, began to crowd into the town and form themselves into groups, complaining of the dearness of provisions. A letter had been received by the magistrates in the morning, apprising them of an intended attack upon the stores, and Messrs. Ireland and Veitch, Justices of the peace, signed a joint requisition, requiring the military and police force to hold themselves in readiness. We understand that similar warnings had been addressed to the magistrates on previous days during the week. Having taking this salutary precaution, Mr. Ireland, justice of the peace, proceeded to the stores of Messrs. Rush and Palmer, in Dominick-street, where a mob had collected, and addressed the crowd, promising that effectual measures to reduce the markets would be adopted in the course of the day, and recommending them to disperse. This seasonable advice, seconded by the remonstrances of other gentlemen, had a most salutary effect, and the greater number returned to their homes to await with patience the steps that they felt assured would be taken for their relief. A crowd of idle boys, however, collected, and proceeded in the direction of Market-street and the quays, where they attacked some stores and shops of persons suspected to be acting as forestalled, but no serious violence was committed during the day. About 6 o’clock in the evening a large mob congregated, and having paraded the town, plundered a quantity of potatoes, the property of Mr. Harrison, of the square, and of Mr. Robert Comins. The high sheriff was sent for, and on coming into town, proceeded to the barracks and ordered out the military; accordingly the 30th depot, under the command of Colonel Ormond, took up a position at the corner of High-street and Crossstreet, where they were immediately surrounded by an immense crowd, and the excitement increased to such an awful degree of intensity that violence was momentarily expected ; stones were thrown, which struck some of the officers and men, whose forbearance, under gross pro-

vocation, reflected credit upon the temper and discipline of this gallant corps. The officer in command, as well as Mr. Ireland, justice of the peace, and others, remonstrated with the high sheriff, on the indiscretion of keeping the soldiers in a position where the only effect of their presence was to exasperate the people, and they shortly afterwards were ordered hack to barracks, amidst loud cheering from the assembled multitude. The effect, however, of the false step was visible in the increased exasperation. Three soldiers, who were left as a picket, were assaulted by some cowardly ruffians, and driven into the barracks. The high sheriff was insulted, and as the night approached the dissolute and disorderly assembled in formidable numbers, calling for illuminations, and we regret to say broke windows in various parts of the town : they compelled the sexton of St. Nicholas to toll the bells, and forced the towncrier to proceed at their head, after the fashion of Jack Cade’s time, insisting upon the inhabitants lighting their houses ; at 10 o’clock Mr. Sylvanus Jones, resident magistrate, again called put the military and police, and having read the riot act in front of the barracks patrolled the town, and in a short time all was quiet. Yesterday morning the fishermen proceeded to sea, and from all appearances the extraordinary excitement has totally subsided.” — liobart Town Courier.