POWER LINES DOWN

Taranaki Daily News, 23 February 1935, Page 9

POWER LINES DOWN

NEW PLYMOUTH DAMAGE COMPARATIVELY LIGHT The only damage of importance done by the storm to the electrical system at New Plymouth was the demolition of power lines crossing rivers. This was caused by banks caving under the strain of the rushing waters. Damage of this nature occurred in three places—where the lines cross the Mangorei River at the power station, at the Smart Road-Mangorei Road crossing, and at Fitzroy. As a result power was off for a few hours in one section yesterday, but the borough staff made haste to effect repairs and the last of the three crossings, that at Lower Mangorei, was restored to working order late in the afternoon. Only one consumer remained without a power supply last night. Permanent repairs to the river crossings will take some time as owing to the widened river courses it will be necessary to erect towers to carry the wires over the greater span, poles being unequal to the task. The tale race at Lower Mpngorei was enlarged by the flood waters, and a small bridge in the locality was washed away. Reconstructive work will be necessary there. A rumour circulated yesterday that the pipe line to the power station at Lower Mangorei was leaking was denied. The electrical engineer, Mr. W. H. Huggett, explained that when the filling ovei’ the stream gave way on the main road, near Kent Road, the suddenly released waters raised the level of Lake Mangamahoe by 18 inches. The result was that the surplus water from the stand pipe shot out over the top. Some observers wrongly concluded that the pipe line was leaking. It was the peculiarly vivid flash of lightning at 11.20 on Thursday night that caused the failure of lights at New Plymouth. The Government supply was put out of action, with the result that the system was put out of step while the load was being transferred to the New Plymouth plant. The Waiwakaiho River had dropped to its normal level at thfe intake yesterday afternoon. It was not possible to give the actual depth as the gauge had been broken the previous night. At that time the reading was 24 feet. The building that housed the telephones was carried gway, and the platform for the valves was covered with water. Mr. Huggett said it was not yet possible to estimate the cost of the damage in his department. He did not think it would be considerable.