Waiouru copes without power

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 437, 19 May 1992, Page 5

Waiouru copes without power

BY

JO

HOWIE

Mid Saturday afternoon, 9 May, Waiouru and the surrounding areas went without power almost continuously for 24 hours, after a car hit a power pole 4 km South of Waiouru. The power was restored at 10.30 pm but shortly after was lost again after heavy snow felled a tree across power lines. The snow continued to fall during the the night and Waiouru residents woke uo to what was estimated to be 60cm of snow, and no power. State Highway one between Taihape and Ohakune road was closed causing May holiday motorists and trucks to become stranded. Midwestern Powerco faced difficult access to repair lines and restore power. Power came on again on Sunday at 1pm to everyones relief. Waiouru residents generally found the ordeal inconvenient but not too serious. Most houses in the Defence area have the efficient log fires that heat houses throughout and also provide a satisfactory stove for pots

and pans. Kitchen chippies have a wetback system that provides hot water. The only problems arose if residents didn't have dry wood, but most people restock wood supplies during the summer months in anticipation

of Waiouru's 'delightful winter'. Some civilian houses on the main road without chippies or fires found the weekend cold and miserable. The heating system in the barracks was afTurn page 7

Waiouru copes

From page 5 fected, but residents said the barracks didn't get unbearably cold before the power was restored. Block 3 kitchen at the Officer Cadet School continued a candle lit formal dinner for 80 people on Saturday night. The food was cooked on a gas barbecue. The Officers Mess closed down, and residents ate at the 800 Man Mess. In the 800 Man Mess, some steam left in boilers was sufficient for cooking purposes, and the Karcher Kitchen (the army's field kitchen) was used. The Sergeant's Mess continued working using two gas rings to cook for 30 people.