STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 260, 2 November 1928, Page 8

STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

ROOF LIFTED BODILY.

ELECTRICAI. APPARATUS RUINED.

MILKERS HAVE A MARVELLOUS ESCAPE.

' (Bv Telegraph. —Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. The most severe electrical disturbance experienced in Hamilton for some tim* had serious effects in the borough yesterday. The storm, which set in at 3.4.1 p.m., blew out the electric apparatus at the pumping station, and the pumps consequently were put out of action for over six" hour's. Jt was fortunate that the reservoir was full at the time in preparation for the peak period. This, :n the opinion of the engineer, once again demonstrates the need fer an adequate water storage. Had a breakdown occurred when a plentiful supply of water was necessary to cope with a serious fire the position would have been fraught with grave consequences. Over 150 yards of an embankment was torn down when fully 40ft of drain piping burst during the storm in Te Aroha Street. Claudelands. The damage is estimated by the borough engineer to be in the vicinity of ffiO. The downpour proved too much for the capacity of the pipes, which became blocked. The water backed up and flooded the tipper area of Te Aroha Street.

A marvellous escape from injury was experienced at Tuhiktrama, where lightning struck a large milking shed, the property of Mr. C. H. Ellery. Four milkers were engaged in the shed at the time, and 150 cows were being milked. The roof of the shed was lifted bodily and thrown some distance from the building. The electrical apparatus was also ruined by lightning. The milkers had a remarkable escape, as also did the herd. A telephone in the house was struck by lightning anrl wrenched violently from the wall and hurled down the passage, while the entire electric installation in the house was destroved.