EXCHANGE FLOODED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 232, 19 February 1913, Page 8

EXCHANGE FLOODED.

SERIOUS MISHAP AT NAPIER. Napier, February 17. As the result of a hydrant which is kept on the premises of the Napier Telephone Exchange for fire extinguishing purposes, bursting at 7.10 this morning, every telephone connected with the local exchange was thrown out of action. Hastings and all other bureaux connections were in the same plight. Whef the hydrant burst, water shot up with terrific force, struck the ceiling, and splashed all over the rooms, flooding the building, and giving the attendants and the operating hoards a shower bath. The water played havoc with, everything before it could be turned off, and the building was completely flooded out. The water on the boards where the telephone connections are effected absolutely disorganised the system, immediately causing the electrical current from the central battery' to short circuit, and so throwing the instruments idle throughout town and district. A special staff set to work, and the defects were remedied early this afternoon. It is stated that the break was caused by the sudden turning on of the high water pressure by the corporation staff, but the general impression is that the hydrant was a faulty one. Fortunately, the batteries for. the telegraph service to other parts of the Dominion were not affected.