ELECTRICAL STORMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 12973, 14 November 1902, Page 6

ELECTRICAL STORMS.

REMARKABLE OCCURRENCES IN VICTORIA. FIREBALLS AND DUST STORMS. DARKNESS AT MID-DAY. United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright. MELBOURNE, Nov. 13. Severe dust storms have occurred in Melbourne, placing the city in semi-dark-ness. Similar storms are reported from many inland towns. Fierce squalls have done much damage to property and disorganised the telegraphic service. (Received Nov. 13, 10.26 p.m.) Later reports show that the storm was very severe, and swept a> wide area. It was accompanied by remarkable phenomena. At Boort great balls of fire fell, throwing up showers of sparks as they struck the earth. At Wycheproof the whole air appeared to be on fire. Lanterns had to be used during the day time. Trees and buildings were blown down in all directions. At Langdale a house was set on fire by fireballs and destroyed. The SeaJa.c Presbyterian Church was so injured by the wind that it will have to be pulled down. . Balls of fire burst ort the poppet-beads of the new Barambogie mine at Chiltem. The fire spread to the timber of the shaft, but with great difficulty it was extinguished. Bush fires have spread in every district. The extent of tho damage' cannot be learned at present. Nearly all the telegraph lines are down. Almost every station heard from makes the same report as to gales, dust, lightning and balls of fire. The darkness was so intense that fowls went to roost in the afternoon, and people were stumbling around trying to find their way by the aid of lanterns. Tlie storm'in Melbourne was strongly reminiscent of " Black Thursday." The wind was from the north-west, at the rate of fifty miles an hour, sweeping dust, stones, and debris in the air. It was difficult for people to make their way in the streets. Many shops were closed, and the heat was stifling. The storm has blown itself out, and rain fell this 'afternoon. The Government astronomer states that the phenomena were due to immense bodies of dust in the atmosphere, the balls of fire being the result of electrical disturbances. (Received'Nov. 13, 10.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, Nov. 13. The weather was exceedingly trying and unpleasant since early morning, a hot wind blowing. The city was enveloped in a drifbing pall of dust, obscuring the sky. Similar reports have been received from many country districts, especially towards the Victorian border. In some places the dust storms were so severe as to cause darkness and stop business. The Government Astronomer states that it is the edge of the storm so severely felt in Victoria.