WIRES DOWN.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20274, 7 April 1934, Page 15

WIRES DOWN.

North Inland Line* Interrupted. BUSH FIRES DO DAMAGE. Telegraphic communication with Auckland was interrupted to-day, when it was reported that fires had destroyed the wires two and a half miles south of Taupiri. It is thought that the interruption in the service was due to scrub fires or fires of a similiar nature. Taupiri lies between Hamilton and Huntly, and the extent of the damage done is noi yet known.

The dislocation occurred at 1 p.m It was 3.20 p.m. before Post Office officials reported that communication with Auckland had been restored. Business at the telegraphic counte* at the post offices throughout the South Island is not brisk on a Saturday, and it is fortunate that the dislocation occurred during a slack period. Poles and Wire* Burnt. Per Press Association. HAMILTON. April 7. Toll and telegraph communication between Hamilton and Auckland was interrupted earlv this afternoon. All the lines were down, presumably as a result of the fire. Only meagre details are available, hut it appears that a scrub blaze near Taupiri was responsible for the break, poles and wires being destroyed. The line was dead between Huntly and Ngaruawahia. A gang was immediately despatched, and a single temporary telephone line was erected, while telegrams were despatched by an alternative route, via Paeroa. Considerable delay in Press telegrams occurred as a result of the isolation of Auckland.