FAILURE OF POWER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19827, 23 December 1927, Page 12

FAILURE OF POWER.

TWO MORE STOPPAGES. TRAMS AND TRAINS DELAYED. FAULT AT WHARF STATION. The cessation of electric power in the city and suburban area on two occasions yesterday morning upset train and tram services, caused all electrically-driven machinery and appliances in offices and factories to stop, and created general inconvenience. All tramcars in city and suburbs were stationary for periods varying from half an hour to an hour, but fortunately, the "breaks" happened after city workers were at their desks and before the influx of morning shoppers was very marked. More serious was the effect on the railways, as the automatic signalling system which is dependent on power from the Auckland district to as far south as Mercer, was disorganised. The trouble yesterday morning was a recurrence of the fault which resulted in the city and suburbs being plunged into darkness about 11.30 on Wednesday evening. At that time the whole of the area under the control of the board was affected with tho exception of the southern section and the east side of Queen Street.

Mr. R. H. Bartley, general manager of tho Auckland Power Board, stated yesterday that at that time it appeared a fault in one of the high-tension cables was responsible. An investigation, however, while revealing that this was not so, failed to locate tho real cause of the breakdown, but power was restored by midnight.

Defect on Switchboard. A further examination of the feeder system was being made about 9 o'clock yesterday morning when a similar fault developed, causing another stoppage in tho power supply. This time the cause was definitely traced to a serious fault in a cable connecting the boxing gear with the main switchboard in the King's Wharf station. A short circuit in the whole system resulted. Once again all trams ceased running and the electric signalling system on the railways was put out of action. Temporary repairs were carried out and by 9.30 all connections were completed with the exception of the Remuera and Epsom districts. Tho general impression among railway and tram officials that conditions were back to normal was shattered at 10.22 when an operator at one of the substations failed to connect a switch, and the experience of the previous hour or so was repeated. Working rapidly the Power Board staff restored power sufficiently to allow the trams to resume running by 11 o'clock. Gradual linkingup enabled power to be reinstated in all districts shortly afterwards. To avoid any possible trouble in the future, extensive alterations are being made to the faulty mechanism in the King's Wharf station. "The public can rest assured there will be no repetition of the trouble," said Mr. Bartley. "It was possible for us to restore the power almost immediately on each occasion, but the nature of the trouble did not warrant it. Had we not made a thorough investigation the interruption in tho service may have been longer "

Disorganisation of Trains. . The abnormal rush and excitement of holiday train traffic was greatly accentuated by the power failure yesterday morning. 1 The station platforms were crowded with people weary of waiting for the north-bound trains, all of which were delayed. The limited express, usually due at 9.30, did not arrive until 11.37, and the other express due at 7.52 did not put in ah appearance until 10.38. Both trains were full, and when they eventually arrived animated scenes were witnessed at the station. Passengers experienced the utmost difficulty in reaching the station exits Tho Thames and Rotorua expresses, the bookings of which were also very heavy, were late in leaving, and three extra carriages were necessary on the latter train. Long lines of vehicles at the Bench Road level crossing were held up, and when drivers realised the wait would be a long one, they made unavailing efforts to back out. Undoubtedly Christmas cooking suffered as a result of tho power failure. Countless plum puddings and mnumer- ( able mince pies and cakes, slowly approaching maturity, on electric stoves, must have received a temporary check in the attainment of perfection when the power failed.