CITY POWER FAILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19626, 3 May 1927, Page 8

CITY POWER FAILS.

UNEXPECTED STOPPAGES. LIGHTS FAIL AT NIGHT. A PERIOD OF DARKNESS. FIRST MISHAP IN AFTERNOON. Unexpected stoppages of electric power yesterday afternoon and again last evening put consumers to considerable inconvenience. In both cases the 'whols oi: the Auckland Power Beard's area, with the exception of a small sector on the east side of Queen Street, was affected, resulting in a complete stoppage of trams, electric lifts, electric heaters, motors and suburban telephone equipment. Last evening hundreds of homes were plunged into darkness for 35 minutes. Although they had the same effect both stoppages were caused through different faults. The cut-out in the afternoon was due to the accidental ! tripping-out of the main switch controlling all the auxiliary switches. This could have been remedied quickly but for the fact that the mishap caused the. loss of all the circulating water, necessitating the. shutting down of the entire plant at King's Wharf. The operation of recovering the water was prolonged on account of the low state of the tide. The last occasion on which the main switch was opened in this manner was eighteen months ago. The stoppage last evening was caused through the burning out of a load transformer in the main station, affecting all the sub-stations. A comparatively small area stretching back from the east aide of Queen Street is fed by direct current and was not affected. All the other areas receive supply from alternating current. The first stoppage occurred at 2.30 p.m. Factories dependent on electric power weire obliged to cease running while the break was put to rights, and hundreds of people journeying to and from the city by tram had an annoying, half-hour wait until the trams resumed. Many shops and offices requiring artificial lighting in daytime were plunged into semi-darkness and business had to be transacted under uncongenial conditions. Offices situated on -.ho sixth and seventh storeys of Queen Street buildings had to be approached by weary stairs; some of the tearooms in the city were noticeably affected in this way. The city telephone exchange was not \n the troubled area, but the suburban exchanges all ceased operating during the period of suspension. All services were resumed in from 25 to 35 minutes. Without any warning except a slight tremor in the electric bulbs, the lights failed at 8.55 last evening. In most homes the residents were entirely dependent on electricity for their light, not having taken in a stock of candles, and people had to wait patiently in the dark. Many parties and private dances were rudely interrupted. For a few minutes the plant at the Strand ' and National picture theatres ceased working, but the emergency equipment was soon brought into action. r l heatres on the cast side of Queen Street were not affected. At the Town Hall the large Presbyterian meeting was continued with the aid of a few candles. At 9.30 p.m. the lights were on again. Yesterday was the worst day the Auckland Power Board has experienced for a considerable time.