TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 10, 5 February 1909, Page 3

TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE.

A BALL OF FIRE. Cliristclmroh, Tuesday. 111'. Davis, a Tui Tapu resident, had a startling adventure 011 Friday evening, lie was bringing rows from a paddock near his house, which paddock was belted by pines of great height. While passing under (file giant 120 ft high, a vivid Hash of lightning illuminated the scene, followed by a thunderclap. Davis heard splitting and a rending clash, and had the sensation ot being surrounded bv lire. All round him large splinters of wood fell with dead branehes, and also pine cones. The experience was most terrifying, and Davis lost little time in seeking the shelter of Mr. R. McArtucy's family residence on the other side of the l'oad, the occupants of which were also considerably startled. '.Men in the wliarc close to Davis' paddock saw a. ball of lire pouncing about the pilddock like a football. A Star correspondent visited the locality 011 Saturday. The pine referred to was of green foiiage. and has the appearance of being the highest in the plantation. The tree was struck about 80ft from tile ground, at which height a big slice had been torn oil' the trunk. One huge slab of timber was lying under the true, another across the branches adjacent to the pine. From the spot where it struck the tree was completely stripped of bark, and for a radius of 2» yards the ground was strewn with Hakes of bark, timber, dead branches, and cones. Davis had a very narrow escape, and the tree, acting lis a lightning conductor, 110 doubt saved his life. What can only he described as a -sheet of water followed the thunder, and in a minute's time the roads reve covered with torrents. The storm lasted only u few minutes, but was lively while it lasted, aiid the remainder of the evening was beautifully fine.