POWER FAILURE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 305, 27 December 1939, Page 4

POWER FAILURE.

WANQANUI DISTRICT.

SUB-STATION EXPLOSION

(From Our ComepoaAMit.)

WANGANUI, Tueaday. Because of an explosion at the Okoia sub-station to-day, Wanganui wae without electricity for two and threequarter hours. Severe damage wae done by the explosion and, although the Wanganui -Rangitikei Electric Power Board had ten men on the job, it was only possible ito effect temporary repairs by toy-passing the 11,000-volt switch put out of operation. Permanent repaint will be started early next week. Meanwhile, the public are asked to be sparing in tho use of electricity.

The powor failure had far-reaching results in various places round Wanganui. The trams were stopped, and many dinners being cooked in electric ovens were spoiled. One class of business which benefited from the failure was that of taxi proprietors, and from about 10.30 a.m. onward they were kept busy. Many people rang up and had taxia to collect them from tram stops, and during the power failure taxi stands in tho Avenue were empty. Telegrams wore delayed. Business places working to-day were seriously affected, and machinery wae stilled for several hours.