BREAKS IN POWER LINES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19986, 30 June 1928, Page 12

BREAKS IN POWER LINES.

STEEL TOWER BLOWN DOWN. CUTTING BACK OF TREES. Faults which developed in the Auckland Power Board's electric transmission system during the recent gale caused considerable inconvenience to consumers in the south metropolitan area, particularly Mangere, Papatoetoe, East Tainaki and Howick. The trouble was due to damago caused by falling branches of trees. Breaks occurred in at least six different places. Gangs of men have been busy repairing the damage, working in the open during the nights of Wednesday and Thursday under very unpleasant conditions. All lines were reported to be working yesterday. On Thursday night trouble occurred for two hours on the Government transmission line from Waikino.

A tower on the Arapuni-Penrose electric transmission line was blown over at Rangiriri, but as the wires connected with this tower were not alive no great inconvenience was caused. A pole carrying the llorahora-Auckland electric supply was blown over to an angle of 45 degrees at Rangiriri. and caused a temporary interruption in the supply of current to the city, A gang of men was employed rc-crocting the line supports yesterday.

Mr. R. H. Bartley, general manager of the Auckland Power Board, takes a seriious view of. the nuisance caused by overhanging trees adjacent to the board's transmission lines. "There is a natural objection on the part of some people to have their trees cut down, and when they are cut. back they are simnly allowed to grow attain," he said. "In the past we have adonted a considerate attitude in this matter, but the position is becoming too serious. The time has arrived for more vigorous action. In future we intend to notify owners that if trees are not cut bafck so as to remove all source of dancre>to our lines we shall cut them back ourselves."

The interruntions in power affected the signalling apparatus on the PapatoetoeMercer section of the railway yesterday. Amonf the trains delayed in conseouence was the Rotorun, express, which left Auckland at 10.30 a.m. It di' l nof reach Mercer until nearly 1 p.m. Tim Fvnnk-fon-.Auckland train arrived at Auckland just before 3 p.m.. half-an-liour late.