HARIHARI NOTES

Grey River Argus, 28 October 1948, Page 2

HARIHARI NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent). During last week’s stormy weather a barn on top of a milking shed at Waitaha was struck by-lightning which killed some cows, after which the owner discovered that the top portion of the shed had caught afire, and was burnt to the ground. The owner of the property was lucky to escape with his own life. At the latter end of .the week, the licensee of the Pukekura Hotel was milking a cow when it was struck by a Hash of lightning. The cow went down on the floor of the shed and pinned the owner down for a few seconds when she regained her feet again. Mr. Connors was also a lucky man as the beast he was milking was light in weight and he did not feel any effects by being pinned underneath her.

Last week was very stormy all over South Westland, with heavy showers at intervals and hail stones which were aA big as peas. There were considerable electrical disturbances and some heavy lightning. It is I learned that a couple of concrete abutments were damaged below the Fox Glacier. The hail showers at Wataroa on the big cattle sale day prevented the auctioneers at times picking up the bids. It was noticed by one buyer who was standing close to the auctioneer who was selling whilst the hail shower was in progress. When the buyer wanted to put in a bid, he put some weight with his foot on that of the seller. It reminded many onlookers that the buyer in question was working pedals on' a piano, and the auctioneer was doing the singing. With the flooded state of the rivers the whitebait fishermen are having a very lean time. It is to be hoped that the weather will clear so. that they may have their usual big runs as in past seasons. Last Thursday morning a large hailstorm which lasted about half an hour, covered the road at Mount Hercules to a depth of close on three inches of hail.

Mrs. E. Glass, one of the oldest female residents of this district, had the misfortune to fall and fracture one of her legs. The old lady was later conveyed by ambulance to the Westland Hospital. Mr. C. Hende, who was admitted to the Westland Hospital last week, is doing as well as can be expected. Mr. W. Searle, Junr., of Christchurch, is at present paying a brief visit- here.

Mi-. Jim Wall who had a lucky escape from a serious accident when a bulldozer went over a 32-foot bank at Seaview Aerodrome one day last week, is at present on a visit to his parents in this district.

Mr. and Mrs. N. Clancy of Christchurch. who have taken over the farm from Mr. Jack McMillan, arrived in the district recently. Miss M. Aldrige of Hokitika, is at present spending a few days here. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Ford visited Hokitika for the week-end.

Quite a number of large buses from Christchurch and the Grev district passed through here on Saturday going on to the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Lamberton of Christchurch, have taken up temporary residence at the K.D.V. mill Mr. and Mrs. R. White of the TCD.V. Sawmill, are visiting Greymouth.

.Mr. J. Martini, is at present on a vis't to Greymouth.

Mr. Fonse. Lima of Grevmouth is on a visit to Wataroa.

Mr. J. Phillips of Christchurch, is on a brief visit here.

Messrs Adamson and McDonald of Grevmouth and Kumara, are on a business v ; sit here.