BIG LOAD TONIGHT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 997, 13 June 1930, Page 1

BIG LOAD TONIGHT

POWER BOARD HOPEFUL OF PULLING THROUGH SAVING IN STREET LIGHTS “Although this evening will be the worst from the point of view of demand, we think we will be able to pull through, M said Mr. R. H. Bartley, general manager of the Auckland Power Board, this morning. In order to help out the supply from King’s Wharf the users 'of electric signs are being asked not to switch them on until 7 p.m., and city streets will not be lighted until 6.15 p.m. Mr. Bartley stated that the minor troubles always associated with the reopening of a plant had been overcome and from now on he thought it would be plain sailing. Yesterday the power demand was slightly easier, the station carrying from 26,500 kw. to 27,000 kw., compared with 28,000 kw. during the peak period the previous evening. With some effort the station could produce 29,000 kw., so it could be seen that the working margin was very small. Constant watchfulness was necessary. Shortly after the plant had been put into commission some trouble had been experienced in the tubes of the condensers where some small shellfish had been found. During the idle period marine growth had collected on the breastwork in the vicinity of King’s Wharf, and some of these had been taken in by the suction during the drawing-in of water. All these small troubles have been overcome and with improved vacuum this evening it was thought that even better results would be obtained, and that little trouble would be met with. ECONOMIES WILL HELP Although the board is anxious to avoid restrictions of any sort, Mr. Bartley said that consumers could help by practising small economies during the peak hours. Many of the big shopkeepers had been aparoached and had promised to co-operate in this respect. "Without inconveniencing themselves in any way, consumers can help a great deal,’* said Mr. Bartley. Questioned regarding rumours being circulated*to the effect that the city supply was going to be seriously curtailed, Mr. Bartley said the best reply was that the board was keeping the supply going. He was quite sure that it would continue to do so.

"Consumers are responding well to i our appeal for power economies and i from reports received they appear to bo able to do so without any great inconvenience, ’* said Mr. G. Trevithick, * chairman of the Waitemata Power Board, this morning. Mr. Trevithick said that providing the restrictions were honourably observed, all consumers could be kept supplied without any inconvenience during the winter months. The summer load could be handled without any difficulty, he said. He stated that at the present time the board was making allowance for connecting 50 consumers a month to its mains. In regard to future mains it might be necessary for the board to give the question earnest consideration OUT FOR SOME TIME WORK CANNOT BE HURRIED MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. The Minister of Public Works, the , Hon. W. B. Taverner, said yesterday \ regarding Arapuni that the plant would j be out of operation for a considerable time because whatever remedial measures were found necessary could not be hurried. It was anticipated that at the present rate of water flow through the diversion tunnel that the water level behind the main dam would be reduced to the normal river level in 12 days, while the emptying of the head-race would have progressed in two or three days sufficiently for inspection purposes. Until a geological inspection was completed it was obviously premature to consider what extent of structure repairs would have to be put iF hand. In the light of the geologists’ observations the engineers would be able to devise a means of counteracting further movement, but the techn* cal preparations would take time. Until that stage had been reached reliable estimates of the work or ttffe expenditure necessary could not be made. Mr. Taverner referred to the detailed proposals for meeting trouble which had been telegraphed from Auckland as speculations. DEWATERING HEADRACE WORK AT ARAPUNI EROSION REPAIRS Special to THE SU2? ARAPUNI, Today. Although the turbine penstocks are now no longer in use for by-passing the water from the headrace, extra volume is being obtained through the diversion gates, which have been raised to 6ft 3in. Yesterday afternoon one of the new penstock tunnels was also used to aid the diversion tunnel in by-passing tbe water in the headrace. Up till yesterday one-fourth of the volume of Arapuni Lake had been discharged.

It is expected that by Sunday or Monday the forebay of the headrace i will be shallow enough to permit of a preliminary investigation. Some new- seepage is taking place at several points on both sides of the ridge that separates the overflow channel and the gorge, all below the level of the spillway weir. The earth fault, however, appears to be quite stationary, although a slight movement from the perpendicular of the tower which carries the suspension bridge on the west side of the gorge is creating some interest. Preparations are in hand for concreting the spillway falls, principally in regard to the securing of gravel and other material. It is anticipated that an early start will be made with this work. Mr. F. AY. Furkert, chief engineer jof the Public Works Department, is at present on a visit to Taranaki, but \is expected to return shortly.