THUNDERSTORM.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2460, 24 November 1886, Page 2

THUNDERSTORM.

Masterton was visited yesterday afternoonby one of tho most severoanddistructive thunderstorms yot oxperiencod in this district. From early morn the oppresivo heat and occasional bursts of Bunshine'which wore overpowering, betokened the existenco of atmospheric disturbances. At midday the signs of an approaching storm woro observed by tho gathering of heavy clouds along the ran-' ges to the north-west, with constant flashes of lightning. About 2.30 things commenced in earnest, and continued without abatement for two hours. Flash after flash of tho electric fire followed each other in rapid succsssion, the peals of thunder increasing in sound and violence after each streak, The rain descended in torrents, taxing the draining powers of the Btreets to tho utmost, and where the culverts were not dear, the water soon found the levels ol tho crown of the road. In different parts of the Borough tho roads and footpaths were for the time impassable. Serious damage to property is reported on the Glad«tono road, Manaia, where Mr P, Carr has the contract for forming the Borough road there, the water during the heights of the storm was running over the top of the fence, washing a large portion of tho formation away, Several fire balls ware Been darting above the town, one of which passed so close to the residence of Mr Leahy, Queen street, as to turn over his poultry, and shift his pigeon-house, nouo of the poultry or pigeons were at all injured by the shock: this ball is described as being about the size of a mau's head, and was observed to travel in a sou'-easterly direction. The people in tho immediate neighbourhood were so completely scared with the crash that followed this ball that in some instances they rushed from their dwelliuys in terrible fright. The electric fire played aboutthe telegraph wires through the town in a very threatening manner, causing a deal of anxiety to those who happened to witness it* rapid and erratic movoments. From . the Upper Plain wo learn that a pig belonging to Mr Caffory was killed by the lightning, and an electric current passed completely through tho house of Mr Henry Jones, causing Mrs Jones to fall in a fainting fit, The chimney of an unoccupied house near at hand was completely shattered, show, ing that the offect of the storm was very severe in that neighborhood. From the north of Masterton the damage is, as far as wo can learn, confined to Mr Ewhigton's property, opposite the hospital. A valuable brood mare was grazing in a paddock adjoining Mr F. H. Wood's sale yards, when it was killed instantaneously, tho marks on the body being an open out on one leg, and tho hair of the legs, belly, chest and neck being singed, especially whoro it was at all long, The around near the animal was burnod quito black, but no traco of any further marks could.be found of the direction tho current had travelled. Three men were riding along tho Te Oro Oro Road, and saw the animal drop, andone'of their number was slightly struck, and reeled in his saddle, his horse at tho samo time making a side bound, as though shying at an object. A dog in a kennel close to Mr Ewington's residence was also killed, tho marks of the current being visiblo over its body. About five o'clock the weather became settled, and a cool enjoyable ovening followed.