TRAM POLE FALLS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1933, Page 8

TRAM POLE FALLS

AUCKLAND ELECTRICAL DISPLAY

LITTLE DAMAGE CAUSED

AUCKLAND, March 26-

Excitement was caused yesterday afternoon, when a tubular iron tramway pole at the corner of Nelson street snapped about 10ft above the ground, where it passed through a shop verandah, and crashed on to the roadway. The fall of the, pole brought the tramway wires to the ground and caused a ; vivid electrical display for a

few. nunutes. A gang of transport board wiremen was working with a tower waggon some yards up the street renewing the span-wire. They immediately ran to the spot and in a short time had the trouble under courol.

The collapse of the pole caused a number of telephone wires to fall in contact with the tramway wires and a tangle of metal charged with a current of 550 volts covered a fairly large area of roadway. Sparks and flames at dozens of points on the ground and along the telephone lines made a brilliant spectacle. Fortunately, no vehicles or foot, passengers were in the danger-zone when the accident occurred, and the wiremen prevented others from approaching until the wires were cleared, iTrain traffic was held up only until the overhead conductors could be hoisted again -on- a"temporary line.