TREES A MENACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 117, 19 May 1936, Page 11

TREES A MENACE.

POWER BREAKDOWNS. TROUBLES IN SOUTH AREA. TWO-WAY SETS ON TRUCKS. Recent interruptions of the power supply in the southern areas formed the subject of a report by the general manager, Mr. R. H. Bartley, to the Auckland Electric Power Board yesterday. The general manager said that the interruptions in the area had been too frequent. The main source of trouble was trees, ad he also urged improvement in switching arrangements and improved means of communication. A number of interruptions had been due to the supply from Arapuni, and in. that connection the board was not responsible. Mr. Bartley said that the position in regard to trees was a difficult one, but some further action was necessary. The time had come when tliey had to make a choice between continuity of supply and the tree menace. Excluding power failures from the source of generation, fully 75 per cent of the interruptions had been due to trees, the most common trouble being branches carried on to power lines.

Switch Arrangements. In regard to improvement of switching, Mr. Bartley said that at the present time the switching arrangement for the southern area followed the recognised system of sectionalisation with time lag operating for opening the switches set in stops. With the typo of fault experienced it was difficult to control the system and confine the fault to a limited sectjon. He recommended that the board should purchase two automatic reclosing switches from at least four of the recognised manufacturers, and try them out. The supply in the Tamaki area would be improved by the completion of an additional 11,000 volt line, and some day the board might consider it necessary to extend the arrangement further into the southern area.

Dealing with improved means of communication. Mr. Bartley said that telephone arrangements were far from satisfactory, and lie hoped that the difficulty would be overcome by equipping certain of the trucks with two-way radio communication, and the placing of men and trucks at suitable points. There was also the necessity for making added pre j vision for standby emergency gangs. Serious Difficulties. The chairman, Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, in moving the adoption of the report, said there had been serious difficiilties in the switch area. As long as there were trees adjacent to the lines there would bo trouble, and their duty was to minimise it. Practically all the troubles in the outer areas were caused by tree?, and branches breaking. Whwe they were a menace they should be cut bad* or "pruned to the ground level. Irees caused the board heavy expenditure and caused a great deal of trouble. Mr. H. T. Goldie said that the lines had grown alongside the trees. The chairman said that trees looked very well, but they should be cut when lines were endangered. , Underground Cables. Mr. J!. H. Potter said that tho time had arrived when they should duplicate the Arapuni service to Auckland. It' was time the lines were put underground, as was being done in other countries. There had been power troubles on the eatern Bide of Dominion Road, Which was not due to trees. With the overhead system of lines they would always have trouble. Mr.' J. Dempsey said that Tie would strongly support • iflny reasonable measure to give a reasonable supply, as interruptions did a lot of harm in extending the service. Mr. S. I. Crookes said that all were sympathetic with trees and beautification, but peopie would have to take' up a reasonable attitude about the cutting of trees when it was necessary. He hoped that the Government would give permission to have two-way- sets on some of the trucks. He considered that to put the lines underground would not be' possible owing to the prohibitive expense. The genera! manager's report was adopted.