ELECTRICAL STORM

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12476, 12 February 1935, Page 5

ELECTRICAL STORM

WORST FOR TWELVE YEARS

TORRENTIAL RAIN FLOODS PALMERSTON STREETS

NO FALL SIX MILES AWAY

DAMAGE BY LIGHTNING

(Press AssJonir^UoDJ

PALMERSTON N., Feb. 11

Following the most , prolonged drought conditions and the severest heat experienced for many years, an electrical storm broke over the -city and parts of the- farming area surrounding Palmenston North on Saturday afternoon. Torrential rain fell east of the city, and later in the city itself, the streets being flooded. Pedestrian traffic was considerably inconvenienced, but only minor damage was done.

In the Kairanga district, six miles away, which was badly in liecd of moisture, not a drop fell. Farmers there are facing a serious position, as some water bores Show a steady diminution in flow.

At the height of the (storm, when near the Manawatu Gorge SquadronLeader/ M. C. McGregor, flying the Manawatu Aero Club’s plane on his way back from -Hastings, deemed . it advisable to turn back and descend at Woodvi'le racecourse, owing to the severe lightning.

The storm played havoc with electricity services in -several places in the district, there being many breakages in the wires. The main damage was done in the Waituna, Aonautere, Colyton, Bunnythorpe, and Ashliurst areas.

The chief. engineer of the Mana-watu-Oroua Power Board says that it was 'the worst electrical disturbance for 12 years. For 40 minutes the electricity supply in the city was cut off. When lightning struck the Public Works Department -sub-station at Bunnythorpe. an explosion occurred, the switch gear was smashed, and the transformer blown to pieces. The sub-station caught fire when spilled oil ignited, but chemical extinguishers soon suppressed the outbreak.

Trouble due to a similar cause occurred in the Power Board’s adjacent sub-istation where lighting struck the steel framework of the building. Instruments on the big feeder were blown to pieces, insulators shattered and transformer oil spilled. An operator, Mr Jackson, received a shock across the arms and neck, but was not otherwise injured. A. 3300-volt line across the Manawatu river at Ashliurst was cut in half by lightning and dropped into the waters below, but the service was -soon restored. Families in the Colydon district had a... terrifying experience when the Et-orm was at its height. Electrical meters in some houses were shattered.

Damage was also done to the City Council .power house at Terrace End, the switch gear being affected. The heavy rainfall, amounting to an inc-h and a-half, mainly falling in the city- in a period of an hour and ahalf, lias done much to relievo anxiety over probable drastic restrictions in the Use of water. The city received a splendid soaking, and farms to the eastward considerably benefited.

LIGHT SHOWERS IN PAHIATUA

RESERVOIR NEARLY EMPTY

UPress Association i

PAHIATUA, Feb. 11

Saturday's severe thunderstorm •seemed to circle .Pahiatna district, only light showers falling and insufficient to 'benefit the parched pastures to any extent. The temperatures have reached 87 degrees, the highest for many years.

The Town water supply, always poor, is only available in the daytime as the reservoir is nearly empty. It is fortunate that no outbreak of fire, has occurred as there is nothing to save the business area. Anxiety isj now relieved by the sinking of an artesian well to supplement the supply,’ which at present is better than it has' ever been. The acquisition of water synclionised with the tar-sealing of the first stretch of the main road in the Pahiatna County, a mile find a half past the hospital. A co'iitract has been let for sealing the whole 13 miles.