TIKORANGI.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9192, 21 September 1891, Page 2

TIKORANGI.

[FUOfll OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. | j HORSE KILLED BY LIGHTNING. September 19. — The weather has been more than ordinarily sultry for the time of year during the last two or three days, and on Thursday last heavy dark clouds were seen hanging over this district. On Thursday afternoon there was a violont storm, with thunder and lightning, and followed by a heavy downpour of rain. Tho storm was heaviest over the Waihi district, where four horses were knocked down, and one of them killed. William Knuckoy, with a native youth named Dick Tait, had been harrowing a field — tho paddock used as a racecourse — when seeing heavy clouds, and thinking 1 it was going to rain, they prepared to take their teams home. Dick Tait was leading two horses, going in front, Knuckey following with the other four. Suddenly there was a vivid flash of lightning, making it appear as if the whole paddock was on fire, and immediately afterwards a deaCening clap of thunder. Four of the horßes were knocked down, and one of them died with tho fright, as there was no mark of it being struck by the electric fluid. William Knuckey was also knocked down, and was carried to a Maori whare close by, where his arms and legs were rubbed, for they were quite benumbed. The natives in the whare said it seemed as if everything was on fire at the time, and the ground shook like an earthquake. The other horses which were knocked down got up again after a short time. There was quite a deluge of rain after the clap of thunder, and tha place was flooded for a time. It was a near shave for the young men, and it is a wonder that they and the team of horses were not all killed.