POWER LINE BREAK

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 35, 11 February 1931, Page 10

POWER LINE BREAK

REPAIRED BY TO-NIGHT

TEMPORARY SUPPLIES

"There has been no damage to power stations, ana none at Waikaremoana," said Mi-. F. T.M. Kissel, Chief Engineer of the Hydro-clectrio. Branch of the Public Works Department to-day. v "What little damage there was at Waipukurau was cleared within, an hour There was a break in the line between' Waikaremoana and Taradale, whic* -was not definitely located until the day after the shake, but this was not a^ urgent matter, as Napier was not in t position to receive any supply. Tht break Was found to be steel towers which had carried away in the Waihua Gorge. There is somo very bad country thereabouts, difficult to penetrate, and still1 harder to get supplies into. To give an idea, in one place it is only fifteen miles in a direct line, but 85 by the nearest road. The country is of a shaken nature, and up to yesterday, was 'still moving. The damage extended over five towers, a'length of about a mile. In the Meantime' temporary, wooden towers arc being orected. Access to this place is very difficult, aa there arc no roads. Nevertheless, the engineers hope to have power on by tonight, through from Waikaremoana. "Napier is being supplied in the meantime with power at 11,000 volti over the main line from Waipukurau, and power was available there.on Wednesday night. A spare transformer is being transported to Napier as soon as the road is passable, and will be_ereeted pending complete reconstruction at Taradale. When the main supply is available from Waikaremoana., the lino from Waipukurau, which is at present; used as a 11,000-volt line, will go back into service at 110,000 volts, so that the southern area can get assistance from Waikaremoana. A supply to Napier pending the erection of the new transformers will be _ given over the second main transmission line at 11,000 volts from Waikaremoana."