Power Lines Brought Down By Strong Winds

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 19, 7 August 1950, Page 5

Power Lines Brought Down By Strong Winds

Sweeping across the Rangitaiki Plains at about 3.30 p.m. yesterday a powerful wind of almost cyclone force interrupted the power supply to many areas, brought down telephone lines, swept huge trees over like nine-pins and flattened a number of farm buildings. The main damage was to the main feeder line of the Whakatane power supply, which was not resumed until about 6.20 p.m. after it was first cut off at 1 p.m. for the usual Sunday cut. In one area about 40 bluegum trees were brought down. About five of these were across the Whakatane feeder and these had to be removed by the borough electrical staff before they could bring the line into operation again. The work was further delayed because of telephonic interruption with Edgecumbe. A car had to be sent to the substation to notify the staff their of the damage. All lines were operating again last night but the work will not be completed until the afternoon cut next Sunday. A number of telephone lines were brought down. Most of those damaged were subscribers’ lines and these were being repaired today. None of the niain lines, with the exception of the Matata and Te Puke line, were interrupted. The power lines of the Bay of Plenty Power Board were not seriously affected. There was no serious damage, it was reported this morning. Apart from a few brief interruptions country people had their power as usual. The main area hit by the wind seemed to be from Western Drain Road to Edgecumbe. This is the section where trees and power poles were brought down. Although it did not cause any damage a strong wind was noticed at Whakatane at about 3.45 p.m