THUNDER STORM.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 429, 18 November 1876, Page 3

THUNDER STORM.

On Saturday morning last, Auckland and the surrounding districts were visited with one of the severest thunder storms which has been experienced there for many years. The storm clouds came from the north-west, and for several hours the flashing of lightning and thunder peals were almost incessant. Heavy rain fell several times during the storm, and about 1 o'clock the rain began to fall in torrents. Mr Christopher Leatham, a respected settler at the Queen’s Redoubt was struck dead by lightning at about a quarter past 10 on Saturday morning. The deceased had only just left his flax-mill to go into the adjoining field, when the unfortunate event occurred. He leaves a wife and family to mourn their awfully sudden bereavement.

The deceased, whose age was 37 years, has brothers in Canterbury, who are not well off, and who therefore cannot render aid to their late brother's widow and family. A subscription will, no doubt, be made for the poor widow and orphans—the age of the eldest of the latter being 11 years, and that of the youngest four months.

At Newton, Miss Spiers, a young lady about 17 years of age, was struck by lightning, whilst walking from the back door of the house to a detached washhouse. She was carried to bed, where she lay till the evening in a benumbed state, her body appearing to be without animation. She was, however, resuscitated, and on Sunday she so far recovered as to be able to walk about. She felt, however, weak and giddy.

One of the most remarkable incidents connected with the storm is that telegraphed from Napier. The telegraph station at Porangahau was struck by lightning, the wires fused, and a quantity of telegraph forms set on fire in the office. Altogether, the thunderstorm of Saturday was one of the most violent of which there is any record or recollection iu New Zealand. Several minor casualities are reported.