UNUSUAL MISHAP.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4939, 15 February 1926, Page 2

UNUSUAL MISHAP.

POWER LINE DAMAGED.

BLASTING AT HIKUTAIA QUARRY.

An unusual mishap occurred near the Hikutaia quarry ,s,hortiy before midday on Saturday. It appears that a charge of gelignite had been fired to dislodge some stone, and immediately following the explosion a large stone was sent hurtling through, the air. In the course of its flight it fouled the electric power lines on the roadside, breaking two 11,000-volt wires, and causing them to fall to the ground. The break caused the circuit switches at the AVaikinp substation .to .trip immediately, thus deadening that section of the line. The Paeroa office of the, Thames Valley Electric Power Board was immediately apprised of the damage, and within two hours .the repair ganghail the current restored. The automatic, cut-out worked admirably, and removed all danger of electrocution by the deadening of the wires.

A circus van, drawn by two horses, wta.s passing along the I’bad at the time of .the explosion, and a serious ' accident was, narrowly averted. The horses became unmanageable and bolted for isome distance before they were pulled up on the edge of a gully near Mr Walter’s’ residence. Fortunately no damage resulted.