THE ELEMENTS.

Patea Mail, 4 January 1882, Page 3

THE ELEMENTS.

Yesterday was a perfect study in contrasts. First the streets were swept by furious dust-storms, that ruin everybody’s temper and cover office tables with fine dust, and spoil the goods in shops. Then the dust was laid by gentle rain, and many housewives opened their windows a little to admit the cool air. About 2 p.m. a violent storm of rain began and soon grew almost tropical in character. The street channels became small rivers, and it was scarcely possible to walk ten yards without getting soaked. House-roofs looked as if covered with a dense growth of blue mould ! This was the effect of dancing, crossing, spurting jets of water. Along the streets the squalls blew white wreaths of fine rain-drops. All the open windows were invaded by the enemy, and many a room was bedewed plentifully. The minah birds at the Court-house are going to petition to have the damaged spouting seen to. At sunset, the scene was lovely. In the west, angry clouds, with fleecy sulphur colored scud seen through the rifts. In the east, a lofty double rainbow, against a ruddy sky ; a long white cloud hailing in front of one limb of the great arch. And yet they say some of us have no eye for the picturesque.