ARAPUNI FAILS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21512, 29 June 1935, Page 14

ARAPUNI FAILS

AUCKLAND PLUNGED INTO DARKNESS INSULATOR STRUCK BY LIGHTNING (MIES3 ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, June 28. At possibly the busiest period of the week, Auckland was plunged into darkness shortly before 5 o'clock this afternoon by the failure of the electric power supply from Arapuni. The breakdown lasted for varying periods in different parts of the c.ty, and with the power cut off from the tramway system widespread confusion was caused in Queen street, with thousands of shoppers and workers awaiting transport to theii hon.es. The interruption was caused through lightning striking an insulator in the outdoor station at Arapuni. "There had been a phenomenal disp ay of lightning for some time," said one eye-witness, "and suddenly a vivid sheet seemed to str.ke right at the outdoor station. There was a loud explosion, followed by a flashing elec ric arc, and then came an almost deafening thunder clap." The striking of the insulator affected all lines, and power was cut off from the whole district served by Arapuni. Hamilton and other towns as well as Auckland were left without light. In the city, the most serious effect of the power failure was the stoppage of the tramway service. A serious view of the breakdown was taken by Mr R. H. Bartley. general manager of the Auckland Electric Power Board. "This is the fourth time this month that Arapuni has failed," he' said. "If this continues we shall have to look into the question very seriously and see whether in the interests of our consumers, we would not be well advised to reopen the King's Wharf power station."