INGLEWOOD.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 January 1920, Page 5

INGLEWOOD.

THE LIGHT DIFFICULTY. Our Inglewood correspondent reported last night that the town up to an early hour in the evening was without electric power, and that many 'firms and housekeepers have been considerably inconvenienced.

An inspection of the scene of the mishap indicated that the wash-out occurred about 20 chains below the intake, several tons of embankment being carried down about 25 feet into the river, and leaving a gap of about 20 feet wide through which the course of the water was diverted. The first indications observed by the officer in charge of tlie power-house was the rapidly diminishing volume of water in the lake just above the station, and it was soon manifest that in a few hours the lake would be dry. Inglewood was quickly advised, and, although some folk discredited the news as a mere rumor, most business men were soon out in search of candles and lamps, the former predominating. At 5.40 p.m. a sudden Wickering of the light heralded the approach ot darkness, and in a second Inglewood was reduced, seemingly, to the old state of a country village. Business men worked beside lamps or candles, and the local butchers chopped their goods in the semi-dark-ness. Late in the evening a wee light here and there in the distance indicated that some one, homeward bound, had taken the precaution to secure candles before the calamity occurred. At 4.30 on Sunday morning Mr. Stewart and members of the electric staff, and the borough men under Mr. Hooper, set out for tlie scene of the wash-out, accompanied by a gang of men. Work was continued all day yesterday, and, from reports this afternoon, it is gathered tiiat the repairs will be complete by 4.30 p.m., and a little power may be available by 8 p.m. this evening. Throughout yesterday a large number of visitors inspected the wash-out and the lake, the latter being almost dry, except for a cijating of mud on the bottom four or five feet thick, and in this several mud larks were seen at play. The visitors were hospitably entertained by Mr. Erickson.

Later (7 p.m.). The electric light is available in small supply, which will be improved as the lake fills.