A THUNDERSTORM.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15919, 3 May 1912, Page 7

A THUNDERSTORM.

EXPERIENCES AT CLEVEDON. [Per Pkess Association'.] AUCKLAND, May 2. A flash of lightning, followed by a very heavy peal of thunder, was experienced in Clevedon on Tuesday night. At the local post office a telephone instrument was struck, and the wires were fused, and the box, with its contents, was smashed to atoms and hurled across the room, striking the wall on tho opposite side and falling into a chair. The wall was blackened, and holes were burned in telegraph forms. Mr Robertson, a storekeeper, was standing beside his instrument, when he was startled by a flash some feet long coming from the mouth of the receiver and followed by a report like a pistol shot, sufficiently loud to alarm the neighbours. A tall pine tree on Mr George Alexander's property near tho road was struck and split in pieces. Another tall pine tree near the Clevedon wharf was struck and strioped of the bark and branches. Ono of the large telegraph posts was also struck. The wires were broken and fused, . and the post itself was broken down. The trees were blazing, but a heavy downoour of rain which immediatelv followed extinguished them speedily. The main telephone from Clevedon to Panakura was untouched.