TROPICAL STORM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 35, 11 February 1935, Page 7

TROPICAL STORM.

DELUGE IN SYDNEY.

Fierce Thunder and Lightning Terrify Residents. SERIOUS FIRE CAUSED. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) SYDNEY, February 10, A severe tropical disturbance which covered the Tasman Sea and the coast of New South Wales produced a deluge in Sydney on Saturday, which necessitated the abandonment or postponement of all forms of sport. The weather authorities predict that the heavy rain which is falling in the coastal areas is likely to produce floods in many rivers. The storm was accompanied by very fierce lightning and thunder. People in all parts of the State had terrifying experiences. About midnight lightning struck the large tannery of Messrs. J. Bailey and Sons at Botany and caused thousands of pounds' worth of damage. A new brick wall was moved several inches and a hole was pierced in it. Eight garages were wrecked and several trees were torn down. Roofing iron from the tannery was carried across the street. Sheets of asbestos were broken to atoms and the splinters were driven into the trunks of trees. The outbuildings were considerably damaged and the machinery in the tannery was knocked about by falling debris. An elderly man was temporarily blinded by lightning at Lithgow while putting a kettle on a stove. A woman was rendered unconscious as she was standing at a kitchen door. A man at Gulgong, who was lighting a cigarette, was stunned and the cigarette was cut in halves. Two horses were killed in a paddock at Lithgow. A 50ft concrete wall surrounding a tennis court at Newcastle was destroyed. A man who was walking on a rifle range at Liverpool received a great fright when lightning ran up one leg and an arm and broke an umbrella he was carrying. FATALITY IN STORM. ATTEMPT TO RESCUE KITTEN. SYDNEY, February 10. During the storm yesterday Mr. Leslie Hall, aged 30, attempted to rescue a frightened kitten which had taken refuge beneath a stationary tramcar at Pyrmont. Immediately he emerged he was struck by a passing motor car and killed. Two of Mr. Hall's companions, who were assisting him to locate the kitten, were knocked down and injured. The accident occurred ill drenching rain, which spoiled the motorist's visibility.