WHEN THE TRAMS STOPPED.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 115, 16 May 1924, Page 3

WHEN THE TRAMS STOPPED.

FINDING THE CAUSE. POWER BOARD'S EXPLANATION". Auckland Power Board yesterday afternoon adopted the following report of a sub-committee that was set up to consider the interruption to the supply of current at Epsoni sub-station on Saturday, 19th April when a lot of race trams at Ellerslie were held up : — " While the Works Committee were anxious to find the cr.use of the stoppage, tliey were still more anxious to prevent a repetition. With this in view the committee, in company with Mr. •Wyllic, inspected the Epsom sub-station. Mr. Wyllie explained to the comittee what had taken place and stated he intended to make certain adjustments to the equipment, and, by setting the trip as high as safety to the station would permit, no repetition Heed be feared. " Your committee then mot in conference with Mr. Ford, general manager of the tramways, and Mr. de Guerrier, engineer. The whole position was fully . discussed from every aspect, covering the needs of the present and the possibilities of the future. '"Mr. Ford reported that the tramways had made temporary arrangements to overcome the shortage of feeders. The permanent work would be under-, taken on the arrival of the cable which . had unfortunately been on the s.s. I Miatatua, which had collided with another steamer in the English Channel. " The following were found to be the outstanding facts: (1) The trips in the station were set too low, but'it has been arranged that they be set on the highest point (with safety, to the plant) for race traffic on all future occasions; (2) the capacity of the tramway feeders was considerably below tiie capacity required for the power demanded and caused a considerable leas of power. According to the Power Board's engineer, this amounted to 40 per cent of the power transmitted at the peak. The Tramway Department had, however, endeavoured to remedy this hy making certain temporary arrangements, made necessary by the delay in shipment of their cables ordered some time apo; (3) Re Christmas traffic. At that time the high-tension equipment of the Power Board, with its safety devices, was not in commission. The committee learned that the old circuit breakers were not acting properly, and, consequently, reliable data had not been obtained as a guide to what should be provided for when the board took over in April, 1924. "Your committee has also to Teport on the 3rd August 1920, Mr. Wyllie wrote to the late Mr. \yalklatc with reference to race traffic and the serious loss in power in the tramway feeders. In his letter Mr. Wyllie stated: 'Improvements in feeder capacity will reduce your power consumption and our maximum load."' Mr. Walklate replied on the 10th of the same month: 'Your remarks are correct and the matter will be gone into.' "Your committee has further to report that Mr. Wyllic is fully investigating the question of future requirements and will report to the board at a later date." In the course of a brief discussion, Mr. T. Bloodworth questioned whether the tramways manager admitted that the tramway feeders were considerably below the capacity required for the power demanded. j The chairman (Mr. W. ( J. .llo.ldswo.th \ J said each side must take its fair share of blame. The Power Board's engineer intended to watch the trams during the June races very closely, and would bring j in a further report as to whether more power should be provided.