POWER BREAKS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 5, 14 March 1947, Page 5

POWER BREAKS

< WIDESPREAD INCONVENIENCE

'TWO HOURS LOST YESTERDAY

Considerable inconvenience was caused throughout the town and district yesterday through the number of unexpected breaks in the power supply, which amounted in all to just over two hours. The first of these occurred in the early morning, the second towards noon when the power was off for nearly one hour, and the third in the afternoon. The district suffered in common with the whole of the Bay, and lower Waikato the origin of the trouble being in Arapuni, where it is presumed one of the major units was undergoing repairs.

All businesses apart from shop premises suffered, particularly those depending on the power for cooking purposes. Manufacturing units and commercial factories normally large users of power were also severely inconvenienced, staff members being forced to stand idly by until power was restored. Throughout the whole day the supply was weak and could not carry the normal load imposed upon it. Enquiries from the P.W.D. as to how long the cuts were likely to last provoked only the most evasive of answers. It was impossible to get any guage upon the situation from official quarters whatsoever. The result was a certain degree of upset which could have been largely avoided if an explanation or a warning could have been issued. As it was all users were left completely in the dark, not knowing whether the trouble was a major breakdown or a minor weakness which could easily be adjusted. . It is to be hoped that the Department in the event of simi-

lar trouble arising in the future

will at least give some guide to

the major consumers as to the extent of the mishap and the

approximate length of the shut-

down. This is only courtesy which is due the power users by the supply authorities. Already the public has been warned of

the drastic situation which has

arisen. They are prepared for

cuts expected, and unexpected, but they should surely be given a chance to prepare for them and to at least be given an ap-

proximate idea of the periods in-

volved.