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Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 28, 1 February 1913, Page 11

■V few days ago the Oxiord district, some forty miles from Ohristchurch, was the scene of a remarkable visitation, in the shape of a whirlwind, which commenced in a small ploughed paddock, and then crossed to a farmyard, taking up a shed as it passed along. The sited was dropped in a paddock of oats, some distance away. At the railway station it lifted up a good deal of sand and rubbish, and then proceeded in the direction of the Waimakariri RiveT. Soon afterwards a huge cloud in the heavens seemed to be hastening to meet it, and in a short time the whirlwind was gathering up tons of water. The cloud, which was growing blacker and blacker, was not immediately over the spout, but a long -way -off. The whirlwind drew up the water to a great height, and then took a turn to the south-west, travelling nearly in a straight line until it met the cloud. Soon after this the other end of the cloud seemed to be dropping tons of rain on the plains. Through field glasses could be distinctly seen the water aseemliu;;, and revolving at a very great pace. Some seemed to fall down, but it was soon involved again, and caught up. The whirlwind could be seen for a long time. There was no rain at the time, and very Utile wind.