ELECTRICAL STORM

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23746, 18 September 1942, Page 6

ELECTRICAL STORM

EFFECTS FELT ON WEST COAST TELEGRAPHIC LINES STRUCK BY LIGHTNING (0.R.) GREYMOUTH, Sept. 17. Boisterous weather at Greymouth today appeared to be only the fringe of a more severe inland disturbance which centred in the Otira, Arthur’s Pass, and Reefton areas. Because of the weather, no labour was engaged on the Greymouth waterfront. A strong wind and heavy rain at Greymouth were heralded by a marked fall in the barometer. The signal station reported at 9 a.m. that the barometer showed 998.6 millibars, compared with 1006.8 millibars at the same time yesterday, the lowest reading for some time. The reading continued the same, but throughout the morning it was erratic. A change to south-west this evening gave promise of the weather clearing. The rail-car from Christchurch was about 20 minutes late at Greymouth this morning, the delav being caused by the automatic signalling system being thrown out of action by an electrical storm in the vicinity of Arthur s Pass. For a time the system between Otira and Stillwater was_ also affected. Air service between Hokitika and Nelson was suspended to-day because of stormy conditions, which were apparently worse at Hokitika than at Greymouth. The runway was flooded for about three-quarters of a mile, preventing the machine taking off. As the same aeroplane flies on the return service from Nelson, both flights were cancelled. At the height of the gale this morning portion of a galvanised iron veranda at the corner of Mawhera quay and Waite street was lifted from its fittings and blown to the street. Several sheets of iron were deposited on thoroughfares, hut fortunately without injury to passers-by. , , , The Otira highway was blocked by a slip at Cundby’s Bend early this morning. Mr W. F. Harley, secretary of the Greymouth branch of the Canterbury Automobile Association, stated to-day that there was no Indication when the route would be open again. Heavy rain had fallen throughout the night at Otira and was continuing. Other routes still appeared to be open. When lightning struck the Public Works Department line, apparently between Otira and Jackson s, power was interrupted between 8.58 a.m. and 9.4 a.m., and Greymouth was again cut out between 9.13 a.m. and 9.17 a.m.. because of overloading. All circuits, except one telephone route between Greymouth and Christchurch, via Blenheim, were lost to the Post and Telegraph Department at 6.20 a.m., when lightning struck the lines between Arthur’s Pass and the Bealey. and throughout the day telegraphic traffic had to be routed via Wellington. As a consequence, there was a heavy delay in toll calls and certain messages. Damage to line fuses was frequent in the Reefton area, and for a time the Marsden-Kumara circuit was also out of action, owing to contact being made with a power line. There were also several instants of lightning and wind damage to subscribers’ circuits in the Greymouth area. The Railway Department telephone system was also affected by the storm. There was to-day a strong fresh in the Grey river, but there was no immediate fear of a flood.