HEAVY RAIN IN AUCKLAND

Southland Times, Issue 23897, 16 August 1939, Page 5

HEAVY RAIN IN AUCKLAND

LIGHTING AFFECTS’ TRAM SERVICE TWO CARS TEMPORARILY OUT OF ACTION (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, August .15. A blinding flash of lightning which oc 'urred during an electrical storm between 6.30 and 7 o’clock this morning affected the tramway service in the Point Chevalier district, two cars being temporarily put out of action. The thunder was particularly loud, one clap being described as the worst ■experienced in Auckland over a period of years. The flash’is believed to have struck the overhead tram wires and travelled along them until it was earthed through the lightning arrestors of the two tramcars. A fuse was blown in one of the cars and slight damage was caused to the other. Both were brought to the city depot under their own power after a brief delay and were returned to service 'after repairs had been carried out.

It was stated by Mr A. E. Ford, manager of the Auckland Transport Board, that such occurrences were not rare. The equipment of tram-cars rendered them completely safe, however, in such circumstances and no effects would, be experienced by the passengers in the cars at the time. The only effect would be the stoppage of the motors as a result of the interruption of the supply of power.

Heavy rain squalls were experienced throughout Monday night, a particularly heavy showei which deluged the city area about 1.45 a.m. flooding gutters and turning Queen street into a rushing stream of water. Heavy bursts of thunder occurred at intervals during the early hours of the morning, culminating in a severe storm at 6.30 o’clock.

Residents of the Western suburbs area, which was most affected, were startled out of their sleep by one terrific clap, the burst being followed by a dead calm.