Dust and Fog Cause Power Interruption

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 601, 1 March 1929, Page 1

Dust and Fog Cause Power Interruption

WELLINGTON SUFFERS NO EARLY MORNING TRAMS Press Association WELLINGTON, To-day. Wellington has been without power from the Government hydro system since 5.25 this morning, and the city was without trams until S.l5 r when the steam plant at Evans Bay was brought into action. The tramway and observation buses did their best to meet the situation, but great inconvenience was experienced by early workers, especially those in more outlying parts. From a statement by Mr. Kissel 1. the chief Government electrical engineer, tho trouble appears to be similar to that which occurred on Wednesday on tho Wanganui line. Dust which accumulated on the transmission insulators had become damp Avith fog or mist, and Avas forming a conductor, causing the insulators to Hash over. The trouble on this occasion is on both lines from Alangahao to Wellington.

PRAYING FOR RAIN NEW PLYMOUTH ALMOST WITHOUT POWER (Special to THE SUN) NEW PLYMOUTH, Thursday. Traraless and Avithout street lights. New Plymouth is a town of silence and gloom after sunset. Until rain falls the prospect of the full electric power supply being renewed is remote. As the dry weather continues the stock of water at the Alangorei Avorks is being depleted. The flow of water in the Waiwakailio River is decreasing. An appeal to consumers for economy in the use of power has had little effect. The load this morning was 200 k.w. heavier than yesterday. The plant had to be shut down shortly after 10 a.m. to-day for about one and ahalf hours. The department lias iioav issued a warning that power is liable to be cut off at any time during the day until further notice. All aA*ailable buses have been hired by the Tramways Department in order to maintain the best possible service during the periods in Avhich the trams are not running.