TERRIFIC THUNDERSTORM

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 15, 19 January 1899, Page 9

TERRIFIC THUNDERSTORM

A HORSE AND RIDER RILLED BY

LIGHTNING

WIDESPREAD RUIN

TO CROPS

(By Telegraph. —Press Association.)

WAKAPUAEA, this day

A thunderstorm of unprecedented fury broke over this district shortly before midnight, and raged over two hours, accompanied by lightning of dazzling brilliancy and torrents of rain. All cables and telegraph lines had to be 'earthed' as a measure of precaution, and it was 2..10 a.m. before communication could be efi'ected with Paperouse, which accounts for delay in the receipt of midnight press cables. The storm passed oft' towards daylight, but was so severe while it lasted that it must have caused widespread ruin to crops in the district. BLENHEIM, Wednesday. During a heavy thundeifctorm, which occurred this afternoon, a man named C. doff and the horse he was riding were killed by lightning. A resident of Remviektown found the bodies on the river bed. a short distance from thai -place. GolY was considerably! blackened and burnt. Another horse, which deceased was leading, was standing by. paralysed in the hind quarters. Coll" was a farm labourer at Renwiek. 2!) years of age. He leaves a widow and four children. The storm was. heaviest at Renwioktown. some of ihe Hashes being dazing. X.-J.SOX, this day. A fierce thunderstorm continued throughout yesterday afternoon and night, with very heavy rain. II is still raining and thundering. The Matata and Maitai are in Hood, bank high, and there has been some flooding of streets, but no damage done beyond a tree or two blown down and struck by lightning. It is feared that the unseasonable rain will do immense damage to standing crops by beating them down, and saturate oat sheaves and unthatched ricks. Such a continuous thunderstorm is a most unusual experience for Nelson. HAWERA, this day. Continuous wet weather is having a bad effect amongst agriculturists. A heavy thunderstorm and rain were experienced last night. To-day is wet and squally. Over" six inches of rain have fallen since the .New Year opened. WELLINGTON, this day. A remarkably heavy thunderstorm broke over the town before dawn. The thunder Was incessant, and some of the peals were unusually loud. A considerable amount of rain fell. It is now raining again, with warm muggy weather.