MANGAHAO POWER

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 25, 29 July 1926, Page 3

MANGAHAO POWER

"WRETCHED SERVICE" TO HAWKES BAY SERIOUS EFFECT OF A BREAKDOWN (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NAPIER, 28th July. Frequent interruptions in the supply of hydro-electric power to Southern and Central Hawkes Bay from Mangahao have caused more or less serious inconvenience to consumers. Correspondence between the Central Hawkes Bay (Waipukurau) Power Board and the Public Works Department has failed to produce an assurance that the continuity of service would be improved. A somewhat serious breakdown last Saturday has moved the board to address a letter to the Department, pointing out that a feeling of antagonism to Mangahao is being engendered, which will take many months of good service to overcome. The letter states:—

"On Saturday at 3.45 p.m. trouble developed at the Dannevirke sub-station, and the current to this district entirely failed. Your Ongaonga sub-station informed us that current would not be available until after midnight, as if repairs were effected before then it would entail cutting off both the Dannevirke and south-eastern areas. The current remained off until 12,37 on Sunday morning. The effect was most serious indeed, as not only were business and residential consumers absolutely without light, but the Pukeora Sanatorium was cut off, whilst the situation at the Kathbone Maternity Hospital was absolutely desperate, confinement cases there being seriously prejudic-. Ed through the failure of the light. "It appears to my board that repairs should have been effected right away, even though other boards had to loße current for an hour or so whilst the work was being done, rather than that the Central Hawkes Bay area should be cut off for over ten hours. My board feels that something must be done immediately to ensure a decided improvement in the present wretched service, and will esteem it if you will see if permanent relief can be given to this district. "I attach herewith a few of many newspaper remarks on the matter, and the comment expressed therein is ample evidence of the keen feeling of dissatisfaction prevailing throughout the whole district. It will be esteemed if you will deal with the matter as being one of most vital interest. A feeling antagonistic to the Mangahao supply is being engendered which will take many months indeed of good service to overcome, and it is our mutual interest that the present situation should not any longer prevail." j