TOWN IN DARKNESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1924, Page 7

TOWN IN DARKNESS.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM. FAILURE OF ELECTRIC LIGHT. A thunderstorm of short duration, but of unusual severity passed over New Plymouth last night shortly after half-past seven. The last flash of light-' ning caused a breakdown in the electric power supply, the town being plunged into darkness for half an hour. The storm came from the west, and notice of its coming was given by distant rumblings of thunder. Within half an hour the heavy black thunder clouds were almost overhead, and the first few drops of rain had hardly fallen when a vivid flash of lightning cut across the sky. The peals of \ thunder were almost deafening. For a few minutes there was a torrential downpour, and further displays of lightning, and as the storm passed inland a last brilliant flash caught the electric power lines, the overcharge of current blowing out a number of switches at the sub-fetation in Liardet Street. •The lights in the houses were turned on again at ten minutes past eight and the street lights a few minute® later, when the trams were also setmoving again.