POWER SUPPLY CUT OFF

Chronicle (Levin), 5 March 1946, Page 4

POWER SUPPLY CUT OFF

BLACKOUT IN IIOROWHENUA MORE RATIONING BEGINS At about 4.35 p:m. yesterday the supply of power to the Horownenua Boara's aistrict was cut off from Mangahao wichour prior warmng, and a district-wide blackout conanued until 5.15 p.m. It is believed uhat a crisis occurred in the supply position as a result of a fault which deveioped at Arapuni power stauon, and that immediate restrictiom .ecame necessary. It may take a week to rectify the trouble, but full aecails have not yet oeen reported, and • repairs may occupy up to a fortnight. Meanwhile, additional restrictions will be demanded in tne North Island on the use of electricity. Referring to the fault, the Chiei Electrical Engineer, Works Department, Mr. F. T. M. Kissel, said that two coils on No. 4 generator — oiie ot x,ne oider, 18,000 kilowatt machines — burnt out. An expert) was sent up immediately. Rationing began yesterdaj throiugnouc the North Island, Mr. Kissei said. With levels at both Lake Taupo and Lake Waikaremoana exceptionally low and with a continuing shortage of coal, the greatest possible economy by everyone was essential. Since December 1 the draw-off from Lake Taupo had been much in excess of inflow from the various rivers, and uit lake level had fallen by one fooi each month.