LIGHTNING FLASH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 191, 15 August 1939, Page 11

LIGHTNING FLASH.

TRAMCARS DELAYED.

EARLY MORNING MISHAP

WEATHER STILL UNRULY

Although the barometer is maintain- i iny its, gradual but steady rise, indications are that t!:c weather >till has a I fairly uncomfortable kk-k lett in its tail. Blustery conditions continued in Auckland to-day, but showers were I liiil'l'llv less frequent until the a:U'riiiKiii at least. Hail, rain, liuhtniuji and thunder made last n'-.-ht i.n uuple;i>ant one. A blinding flash of lightning, centred apparently in the l'oint Chevalier" district. lia<l repercussions this nuniiiiiu in the tramways service. Two ears mi Point Chevalier Koad were put teinjiorai ily out i>t' action. It i< ic.-li'.-ved that the lightning bolt. which occurred between fi.3o and 7 o'clock, travelled along t!ie overhead tram wires and wiu ""earthed" through the lightning arrestors of the two ia;>. in eaeh of which a fuse was blown. Alter a brief delay, both were brought under their own power to the city depot for repairs. Such occurrences, it was stated to-day, are not rare. Xh effects would be experienced in the tramcars other than the stoppage of the motors as a result of the cutting olf of the supply of power to them.