1889,] 



and May 1888 in the Doab and Bohilkhaiid. 



175 



but tho details nood coufirmatioa. A house oiitside the city was struck 

 by lightning, but it was fortunately untenanted at the time. The light- 

 ning descended through the roof in the centre room and struck the floor ; 

 it then glanced off and, darting through a side room, passed out into 

 the open. 



3i-d May. 



The hailstorm on Tuesday afternoon was quite phenomenal in 

 character. Later reports show that it was a far more remarkable occur- 

 rence than would appear from my telegrams. The stone picked iip by 

 me weighed two and a quarter chittaoks, not ounces, as erroneously 

 stated at first ; and, incredible as it may seem, one picked up in the 

 hospital garden in the fort weighed one and a half pounds. More ex- 

 traordinary still, another hailstone secured near the telegraph office was 

 of the size of an average melon, and turned the scale at two pounds. 



These stones were weighed in the presence of reliable witnesses by 

 two gentlemen of unquestionable veracity, and I have satisfied myself 

 that there is not the least reason to doubt the authenticity of these 

 reports. As it is possible, however, that many will still feel disinclined 

 to credit my statement, and as the Meteorological Department will 

 doubtless require full and reliable information in regard to what is here 

 believed to be the most remarkable fall of hail on record, I am prepared 

 to furnish any further particulars which may be needed, and to give 

 the names and addr-esses of the gentlemen who weighed the enormous 

 hailstones referred to.* I am also in a position to produce any further 

 evidence which may be required to substantiate my facts. 



The fall for about two minutes presented the appearance of a 

 Bhower of lumps of ice, most of which smashed on coming in contact 

 with the earth, only those which fell into soft earth having been secured 

 intact. The shape of the stones generally was a flat oval, very few 

 being round like ordinary hail. All kinds of rumours are flying about 

 in regard to persons killed and injured daring the storm, but, as several 

 of these are doubtless exaggerated, if not absolutely imaginary, it 

 would be unsafe to give particulars at present. It is a fact, however, 

 that out of a flock of some fifty geese and ducks which were in a tank 

 near the Ridge when the hail descended only nine wore spared to the 

 owner. It is true also that the lightning struck a thatched building 

 in the same vicinity, and killed a man and woman who had taken shelter 

 in it. 



bill May. 



Up to the present eleven persons are reported to have been killed 



* Kefercuces to these genlleiiien liavo been given to me. 



23 



