FAILURE OF POWER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3912, 5 March 1929, Page 66

FAILURE OF POWER.

INCONVENIENCE IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, March 1. Wellington has been without power from the Government hydro system since 5.25 this morning, and the city was with out trams until 8.15, when the steam plant at Evans’s Bay was brought into commission.

Tramway and observation buses did their best to meet the situation, but great inconvenience was experienced by early workers, especially those in more outlying parts. . From a statement made by Mr F. M. T. Kissell (chief Government Electrical Engineer) the trouble appears to be similar to that which occurred on Wednesday on the Wanganui line. Dust had accumulated on the transmission line insulators, and, then, becoming damp with fog or mist, formed a conductor, causing the insulators to flash over. The trouble on this occasion is on both lines from Mangahao to Wellington. -* . WANGANUI, March 1. All power in the city and district was off from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. to-day with frequent interruptions during the day. At 7 o’clock this evening there was another break, and although the city steam standby gave no street lights and all suburban services were off and the trams disorganised, light was supplied to the city shops (late shopping night), factories and newspapers, but most homes had to use gas or candles.