NIGHT OF TERROR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21421, 20 February 1933, Page 10

NIGHT OF TERROR

STORM IN CANTERBURY REMARKABLE SPECTACLES Further details of the phenomenally severe electrical storm that swept over a portion of North Canterbury and Southern Marlborough last Tuesday evening and early on Wednesday morning are published in tho Christchurch newspapers. An Amberley resident described the flashes of lightning as being like great searchlights which lit up the whole countryside for many miles. He said it was the experience of a lifetime to watch the flashes travelling right across the sky and ending in another big flash. There was distant thunder, and the centre of the disturbance seemed to be in the hills north of Waipara. There was no rain at Amberley. A Hanmer Springs- resident remarked that the sight was one that might be witnessed only once in a lifetime. He described how residents and visitors sat up for the greater part of the night watching flashes of lightning of bright green, red, orange, steel-blue and mauve that were frequently of quite long duration. Terrific peals of thunder accompanied the lightning, while at times there was heavy rain and a strong wind. "The flashes," said another resident, "made everything as light as day. It was possible to read ordinary print with ease." "Very few people in this district got any sleep at all through the r.ight," a Waiau resident said. Although the storm was situated in the hills and Waiau escaped its full force, the continuous rolls of thunder throughout the night were almost deafening, while the countryside was lit up by vivid flashes of lightning. Sheet, chain and forked lightning followed in quick succession, providing easily the most spectacular display in the memory of residents of the distr.ct. The informant mentioned that to children and to some of the womenfolk it was a really terrifying experience. The storm was passing out to sea near Kaikoura about two or three o'clock on Wednesday morning and residents in the township saw a wonderful sight as the brilliant flashes of lightning lit up the sea for miles around. There was very little rain in tho district. The effects 'of the storm decreased in violence toward the south, but all of the North Canterbury districts werfc provided with a remarkable spectacle and a most unusual experience. Thunder booming in the hills at the back of Hawarden was sufficient to cause most residents a restless night. The sky was lit continuously by the flashes from the electrical discharges.