CABLE NEWS.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 118, 14 November 1902, Page 5

CABLE NEWS.

REMARKABLE PHENOMENA. DARKNESS IN THE DAYTIME. " STARS WITH TRAINS OF FIRE." A HOUSE BURNT BY FIREBALLS. [press association.] MELBOURNE, 13th November. A severe storm has swept over a wide area of the State. It was accompanied by remarkable phenomena. At Boort, 169 miles north-west of Melbourne, great balls of fire fell, throwing up showers of sparks as they struck the earth. At Wycheproof the whole of the air appeared to be on fire. Lanterns had to be used during day time. Trees and buildings were blown down in all directions. At Langdale a house was .set on fire by fire-balls and destroyed. The Sealac Presbyterian Church was so injured by the wind that it will have to be pulled down. Balls of fire burst th 9 poppetheads of the new Barambogie mine ab Chiltern. The fire spread to the timber of the shaft, but with great difficulby it was extinguished. Bush fires spread in every district. The extenb of the damage cannot be learned at present. Nearly all the telegraph lines are down. Almost every station heard 'from makes, the same report of gales of dust, lightning, and balls of fire. The darkness 'was so intense that fowls went to roost in the afternoon. People •were stumbling around 'trying to find their way with the ,aid of lanterns. The storm at Melbourne was strongly reminiscent of Black Thursday. The wind was froni the north-west, with a velocity of 50 miles an hour, sweeping dust and stones and debris through the air. It was difficult for people to make their way in the streets. Many shops were closed. The heat was stifling, and the city was in semi-darkness. This Day. The storm has blown out, and rain fell this afternoon. The Government Astronomer states that the phenomena are due to immense bodies of dust in the atmosphere. The balls of fire (were the result of electrical disturbances. SYDNEY, 13th November. The weather has been exceedingly trying and unpleasant since early morning. A hot wind has been blowing, the city being envelope.! in a drifting pall of dust, obscuring tho sky. Similar reports have been received from many of the country districts, especially towards the Victorian border. In some places duststorms have been so severe -as to cause darkness, and to. stop business. The Government Astronomer sbates it is the edge of the storm so severely felt in Victoria.