“WAS IT AN OMEN?”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 13, 14 January 1913, Page 7

“WAS IT AN OMEN?”

The majority of those who were in Sydney streets “seeing the new year in” (states the Daily Telegraph) had plenty to look at without turning their eyes skyward, and missed one of the most remarkable accompaniments of the change of date, and one that in some stages of the world’s history might have been considered a portent of some significance. It was noticed and commented on by many in the suburbs, especially those occupying elevated positions. During the whole of the evening the sky had t)een overcast, and at times the clouds hung low and threatening. Right up to midnight the cloud curtain was intact, and those who paid any attention to the matter at all were speculating about the prospects of rain on the great holiday of the year. Just as the chimes announced the end ol one year and the beginning of another the cloud lifted to the north, and while bells and steamer whistles acclaimed the hour the entire mass of cloud moved slowly southward, as though an enormous curtain were being rolled back. By a quarter past 12 there was not a trace of a cloud in the sky, and the stars stone brightly down on the noise and excitement of those who were welcoming 1913 in a fashion that custom has made common. During the whole of the time that the mingling sound;: wen filling the air and announcing what everyone was fully aware of, the sky remained clear, and the sudden cl ang made the gtars appear more than cr-

dinarily brilliant. Later nu &I;mgoring clouds drifted over tlir "ky, rod very soon there was a veil over : L

again. There was no wind to ; count for the peculiar occurrem which to those-who had a fair opn trinity of seeing it was one of nu: interest.