THUNDERSTORM AT DUNEDIN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2540, 4 March 1887, Page 2

THUNDERSTORM AT DUNEDIN.

A TERRIBLE ADVENTURE. (United Press Association.) Dunedin, March 8. A very heavy fall of rain, accompanied by distant'thunder took place this afternoon, and nearly led to loss of life. Mr Mirams, City Engineer, MrCuthbert C.E„ of Christchuroh, Mr R. Hiy.C.E,, and a Corporation employee named Sandilands, went into the main seworto inspeot it in connection with a lawsuit arising out of the late floods, and before tho man on the look out could give them warning, a tremendous downpour of rain com-' menced. In a fow seconds an immense body of water was 'fihfling its way into the sewer from .the hills, and this reached the'par ty in the sewer while fhey were about 2,00 yards from the entrance. The water>ose. from a few„ inches-# about fivetfeot, arid it ■waVwith the utmost difficulty that the party kept themselvesfrom,boingswept6ffthßirfeet by the rushing, water, and they were becoming-weaker : and weiikerbytheabsence of fresh air 'which had: n6 ; room to circulate, but they stuck to-

t6 the top anH .sideirrowiaged to bold on till the man liole'/wasreached, . A mial e%t tlipm being swept past and Mr VlTay,' elainbering on theVsiiouldors ;of -tlio 'Qthoiaj/inaiiagod to get out, ; and "■tlte re\t.Avera assisted a pitable plight.' They received hiany. severe bruises, and were thoroughly exhausted. Sandilands suffered the most. He was a short man, and the water was up to his chin. Hay managed time, after.time to keep being swept away.