STRANGE LIGHTS AT SEA

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 178, 16 April 1923, Page 9

STRANGE LIGHTS AT SEA

CURIOUS PHENOMENON IN THE PERSIAN GULF. A correspondent sends to the “Geographical Journal” a short description of a remarkable optical phenomenon observed by him some years ago in the Persian' Gulf. . Shortly after passing Ormuz tho writer, together with his wife and sister, saw the ocean entirely lit up by luminous rays, and on calling the attention of the master of the vessel and others to the sight, was assured that nothing like it had ever been observed before. It was dark at the time, with a very glassy sea, when it suddenly appeared as if someone was turning flashlights on the ship (which was not provided with electric light). It turned out to be ivaves of light wheeling round the ship in the air just over the sea, and not actually on the surface. The phenomenon was observed for twenty mmlltos by all on board.

Although, as has been sand, the apnearanco seems to be an unusual one. a very similar phenomenon was reported in 1909 by the master of the Danish East Asiatic Company’s steamer Uintang, Captain Gate, as seen in June of that year during the passage through Malacca Strait. In this case the phenomenon is said to have reunmbled a revolving light, with cpretty fast rotation, tho light-wave taking the form ot long arms issuing from a centre which seemed to lie on the horizon. The report of a similar experience was obtnin<4l through tho Dutch Meteorological Institute from Captain Breyer, of the Dutch steamer Valentijn, who in 1910 observed the phenomenon near.the, Naiuna Islands, in the South China Sea.

The kindly smile of tho Minister of Education (the Hon. C. J. Pair) had consequences in Timaru that would have astonished Mr. Parr had he the small fracas that occurred the other day (says the Timaru “Post ). Iwo schoolboys at one of the Timaru schools tho Minister visited in the morning each boasted openly that Mr. larr had specially singled him out for an exclusive smile. The two small claimants to the Ministerial smile each deeply resented tho other’s arrogance, and! the outcome was fierce argument, and. finally, blows. A passer-ny separated the youngsters, and persuaded them that life held many other distinctions besides a passing smile from tho Minister of Education.

The Children’s Hpnie, which was destroyed by fire at Foxton, was erected about two years ago, and was designed to accommodate about 49 children and the staff of tho home. Two large dormitories, with roomy bunks, were used as sleeping quarters, and there was a large living room besides two or three smaller rooms for the staff. The building was occupied at Easter by tho Methodist Young Women’s Bible Class Camp, but sincO then no one has had access to it. The'loss (states an exchange) is a heavy one to the children of the home, who found it a great boon during the summet mouths.