A LIGHTNING STROKE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2515, 13 June 1893, Page 3

A LIGHTNING STROKE.

The residence of George Harper at Mount Eden, Auckland, had a narrow escape from destruction on Saturday afternoon. During a heavy thunderstorm the full force of an electric current struck a pine tree adjacent to the house. The bark of the tree was stripped circuitously from top to bottom, and even the roots were bared. Two other pine trees were also damaged, in consequence of a wire clothes line connecting them with the first tree struck. Tho bark was stripped down to the earth from where the wire encircled each tree. The wire wss a]l twisted up and fused at the end. The trees were also split. In one instance the electric current followed a tree root and burnt it close up to the front door, throwing some earth on to the verandah. Apparently the fluid then passed upon either a water or a gaspipe, and must then have been affected by metal at the keyhole of the front door, as the lock was shattered, and the door was thrown open. At the same time the woodwork was injured, The house seems full of sulphurous vapour. Thirty-three panqs of glass were broken in windows; the lights in the hall were broken, gas fittings disarranged, and several globes broken. One peculiar thing was that the glass from tho broken windows was thrown outside. Pieces of bark from the trees were also found inside the house, one being about 2 feet in length and 9in. in width. A smaller piece was found in one of the beds- Yesterday Mr Harper’s home presented the appearance of’having stood a siege, the wjndwows being fixed up with sacks. Panes in the adjoining house of Ball and Stephen’s were also broken, probably by concussion.