FORKED LIGHTNING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18294, 10 January 1923, Page 6

FORKED LIGHTNING.

« BOLT '.' FALLS AT OPOTFKI.

FENCER RECEIVES SHOCK.

EEMARKABLE PHENOMENON'

[EI TELEOBAPH.-— '■ COBBESI?ONDEN,T.3 ■ * .< . O'POTIKI, Tuesday. : HeavyHhurider showers- from the south, were experienced here to-day, interspersed with brilliant sunshine. "' , t A rather remarkable experience befel Mr. Charles Anderson during the progress of a storm marked with very vivid lightning. Mr. Anderson, who was working for Messrs. Beid Bros.' farm at Opotiki, was out; fencing when almost directly overhead there appeared a vivid shaft of lightning which descended to the earth in two distinct \ forks, and taking ; a circular course, appeared 'to meet again near ■the ground....-; -' / . -. .'; -:. _ It struck; the fence upon -which -Mr. Anderson was working: and would! 1 most probably have ■'■ electrocuted him had he not suddenly released his hold of the'wire, As ■■: it was he received rather a 'severe/ shock and v for a moment ?■ was ; completely dazed. He, however, soon recovered. "

A succession of electrical' storms -, has visited Morrinsville • during the past ; Week, alternating with periods ; of bright : sun-: shine. Some of the disturbances have been particularly severe, and once the lighting system was affected, one discharge of lightning striking an electric power; pole, fusing the wires. A thunderstorm. on Saturday was accompanied by hailstones as large as peas. Over half tin inch of - rain fell in about half an ; hour :in that storm. Wednesday . and Monday have been the only days since the New Year without a storm or heavy squall. , ,