GREAT STORM.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1113, 16 November 1883, Page 2

GREAT STORM.

Mmt killodby Lightning'.

INVKROAKtiILL, Nov Hi

The weather for some days past has been of a threatening character, nnd yesterday culminated in a heavy thunderstorm over the town, accompanied by a deluge of rain nnd hail. Unfortunately the storm was marked by a fatal accident on the eastern confines of the town at a small station known ns Ellis road. When the florin was at its height, about 4 p.m , several persons were at the station awaiting the arrival of the train for Clinton. Among them wore Messrs Arthur Crisp and J, ISlono, two prominent officials of the Oddfellows, M.U., who were on (heir way to establish a lodge at MalitU'a. While wailing at (ho door of the shelter shod a very vivid flash of lightning, which was remarked all over the (own, struck the slat,ion. Crisp only survived the shock for a short time, but Stone was only scorched down the arm and dazed, while the others felt the effects of the electricity in a slight degree. The weatherboards of Iho station wore driven oil nnd thrown across the rail track. One of the piles of the platform was split. Crisp was conveyed to the hospital, but nothing could ho done for him. Slone went homo somewhat stunned. Crisp was very widely hit l wn 'in the district, and was a leading spirit in nil benevolent and political affairs. Ho had been councillor of the borough of South Invercargill, where ho resided, and was N.G. of the district lodge of Oddfellows, nnd in that capacity was making his journey. He leaves a widow and a largo family of young children. On the inner side of Crisp’s leg a representation of a tree was distinctly marked as if it had been photographed,

Two Children Killed; Later,

A.rumour, which is apparently wellfounded, has been circulated here to Iho effect that two children, named Fraser, hare been killed by lightning at Gap Hoad station, on the northern lino, and about seventeen miles from town. Their parents are also said to hare been injured by lightning, or to have been prostrated by the calamity to their children. The storm was unprecedented in its results in the district. Telegraph poles have been split, and telephones in the town were charged with electricity, and bells at various offices were ringing frequently.