A SEVERE STORM.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 259, 25 July 1908, Page 4

A SEVERE STORM.

TWO INCHES OF HAIL IN THE STREETS. . LAERIKINISM RAMPANT. Probably one of tho heaviest falls of hail that has over occurred in the city took place last evening between 9 and 10 o'clock,-and within a few minutes had coverod tho city to au oven depth of two inches, whilst in. some instances, whero it beat into crovices and corners tho frozen mass was over a foot thick. Tho hailstorm was preceded by a particularly vivid electrical display, in the southern heavens shortly after seven o'clock, but as tho air was mild, in comparison with tho bitter days of last week, nothing but rain was anticipated. However, as tho ovening advanced tho display of sheet liglitning became livelier, and the light of its Hashes illumined a donse pall of black clouds. Shortly after nine o'clock rain began to fall steadily, but it was only a prelude to what followed. This was a dense dcsccnfc of hailstones, which increased in size each Bccond until the air was filled with the roar of tho hail's contact with roofs, verandahs, and streets. The fall at its heaviest lasted less than ton minutes, yet that sufficed to give tho streets and footpaths an unaccustomed mantle of white, niado up of hail, stones, soino of which wero as largo as small marbles.

One regrettable incident in connection with what to Wellii igton was quite a novelty was the conduct of some hoodlums in various parts of tho city. On emerging from the Opora House peoplo were met with a fusilade of hailballs thrown between tho waiting cars from tho opposito side of the street. One young lady in ovening dress, who was coming out oi tho dross circle entrance, was struck full in the faco by a hard ball of hail, and was temporarily blinded. Such a brutal act deserved tho attention of the polico ; but none could ba soon in tho immediate vicinity, and tho hailballing went on unchecked until tho crowd had dispersed. At street oorners and tram termini pedestrians, male or.female, had to run the gauntlet. At tho Courtenay Place tram shed about twenty ladies were endeavouring to find shelter, but without avail. A large number of lads at tho opposite corner nelted them unmercifully, and oven invaded tlio shelter shed. Tho ladies boarded the tramcars, but even then they were not saf<s, and every car—all heavily laden—had to submit to a steady bouibardmont. Whilst tlio hail was falling tho dialogue of " The Privato Secretary was lost in tho clatter oil tho roof, and so insistent wero tho frozen drops that some got through tho domo of tlio Opora House and fell on soma of the occupants of stall seats, who promptly donned their coats and hats to protcct themselves from the icy invasion. Mr. E. 15. Butler, of 125 Willis Street, informs us that the violence' of the hail-storm was sufficiently great to penetrate the roof and flood his house, causing- considerable damage't'o tho furniture. "I have taken buckets of water out of the front rooms, and tho stairs are scarcely available for use. Everything is in a pretty mess," ho said! "Carpets, linoleums, rugs, a couch, etc," have been rendered useless." ' '