DAMAGE BY LIGHTNING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20257, 17 May 1929, Page 13

DAMAGE BY LIGHTNING.

POWER LINES AS MEDIUM,

THE QUESTION OF LIABILITY

" THE PRICE OF PROGRESS."

[BY TELEG IT A I'll. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

HAMILTON, Thursday,

The question of liability in the event of loss occurring through lightning affecting power lines was discussed at a niectin# of tho Central Power Board to-day, when advice was received by the board that a cow had been electrocuted through a fault in a field pump caused by a lightning discharge. In answer to Mr. E. F. Peacocks the chairman, Mr. T. liinton, said lightning was regarded as an act of God, and that on this account there was no liability. Tho engineer, Mr. J, 11. Ellis, said the primary causo of the accident referred to was lightning, Owing to tho pumaceoua nature of the country in the locality thg earthing and fusing of the lino were not effective, Mr. Peacocke said it was not fair that any ono farmer should bear the loss through lightning severing a power lino. The farmer was not responsible lor the lino passing through his property. Mr. W. Lee Martin, M.P., 6aid the risk was tho penalty that had to be paid for progress. Air. Peacocke said ifc was scandalous if tho farmers had to stand the loss. Mr. Lee' Martin remarked that he would not mind so much if ifc were not for the fact that tho iinea wore for the benefit of Auckland Some farmers had been paid compensation for the area taken up by poles on the main lines. Tho risk was infinitely less on the big lines than on the small lines

The opinion was generally expressed that, while there was no liability, the insurance companies, power boards or Government usually met all reasonable claims.