fast ripening for the harvest. After a broiling fortnight a dense black cloud rose in the NAW. this afternoon and a continuous rumbling of thunder approaches. As it came nearer the sky which was clear before became inky black. Great drops of rain fell on the hot bricks and spread out on their surface, A strong wind blew along rain clouds which seemed to send down solid sheets of water. Some hail fell in the rain followed by large pieces of The leaves of plants were cut through as witha knife and branches of willow trees strewed the ground after the fierce but brief storm cloud passed over. I anticipate reports of millet cut down as it was by a fiercer storm last year, in the path of the storm cloud. There are numerous Tumours as to the presence and
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.