DUE TO HEAT WAVE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17220, 11 December 1923, Page 7

DUE TO HEAT WAVE.

POWER INTERRUPTION. FIVE FAULTY INSULATORS. The prolonged spell of dry weather, followed by last night’s drizzly rain, is believed to have caused the interruptions to the supply of power from the Lake Coleridge hydro-electric station. . LINES BREAK DOWN. Of ithroe transmission lines running frrvffi Lake Coleridge to the Addington sub-station—north, middle and south -the middle and south lines only were in commission last night. The north line was not in working order as a result of repairs bo.ing carried out. 'rbe middle line was the first to break down, the stoppages occurring at 6.55 p.m. Tlie load was then transferred to the south line, on which there were a. number of minor interruptions until 9.42, when tho line failed completely. The two lines run parallel with each other the whole distance from Lake Coleridge to Addington. and both breakdowns occurrod at West Melton.

FAULTY INSULATORS. The trouble was found to be due to three faulty insulators on one pole on the south line and two faulty insulators on one pole on the middle line. The faulty insulators were discovered at about one o'clock this morning. Power was restored on the south line at 3Jo o’clock, and on the middle line at 5.54. SOUTH CANTERBURY LINE. The South Canterbury line branches off from tho main lines at the switching station at AA'ind whistle, thirteen miles from Lake Coleridge power station. This line was not affected by tho breakdowns, but power had to bo cut off for a time while tests were being carried out. The North Canterbury districts are supplied by a feeder transmission line from the Addington sub-station and power was rut off for the same length of time as was the case in the city. Mr R. G. Mac Gibbon, district electrical engineer for the Public Works Department, stated this morning that beyond the fact that the trouble had been caused by faulty insulators he was unable to state its cause. It was possible that the insulators were affected by the prolonged heat and the drizzly rain that fell last night. There was not, as far as he was aware, any storm along the route of the transmission lines last night.

INSULATORS “ FATIGUED.” This opinion was confirihed by an electrical engineer who was asked as to tho probable cause of the trouble. He explained that as a result of the recent spell of fine weather many of the insulators became “ fatigued ” or spent. The Public AA'orks Department was continually replacing faulty insulators and it was just possible that some might not bo detected. Dry dust would collect on the insulators and when the rain got on to them the chemical constituents in tho dust would certainly affect the insulators if there were any weaknesses about them. “It is a most extraordinary coincidence that the. three transmission lines should be out of commission at the same time,” added the engineer. “This is tho first time that there has been a complete shut-off of power since the middle line was completed. HUMOROUS INCIDENTS. Trams stopped in all manner of odd places. One pulled up right in front of a sign “Stop! Look out for the Motor !” while another with a full load of passengers was brought to a halt, within a yard or two of an undertaker’s establishment. As is usual in cases of breakdown, the passengers, for tho most part, looked on the affair as humorous, and the remarks made sent up roars of laughter.

One man, who decided that he would get home quicker by walking, and left his wife on the- tram, parted with “ All right, missus, I’ll have breakfast ready for you.” A youth who saw the conductor coming along called out ” Look out, hang on to your fares 1” A youth in his turn, who was evidently interested in tramway finance, filled out, “ What about Mr Sykes and his bigger fares now?” When the car stopped it was crowded, but gradually it emptied, one after another of the jiassengers becoming tired of waiting. As each went away a parting remark was flung to the crowd, some member of which usually repliedA sigh of relief went up as TLe lights went on in the car, hut it had only gone on a few yards before it was brought to a halt again. Then a wag in the midst of the passengers started up the chorus: “AA e AYon’t Go Home Till Morning!” thus helping to keep the weary waits in a good humour. TRAMS \ DISORGANISED.

The tramway system was completely disorganised as a result of the breakdown, all the trams remaining stationary from 9.40 until about 10.25 when power was switched on from the Tramway Board’s stand-by plant in Falsgraro Street. AA'hen the trams resumed running were greatly overcrowded despite tlio fact that many people living near tho city had walked to their homes. The last cars for tho various termini left the Square at 11.25, the outward cars having to be held back in order that passengers by inward cars could connect with them. Instructions to run the board’s steam plant for tho tramways and the Public AA’orks Department were received at the Christchurch tramway power station at 9.55 p.m. from the Department-. At 8.5 p.m. tlie Department had asked that steam bo raised on ail boilers and to stand by. By 1Q.23 p.m. the station had 1000 k.w. on the line for the tramways, and thirty-five minnte6 later 825 k.v.a. on line for the Department The steam was slow in coming up duo to tho quality of the coal. At 10.43 p.m., when the 1000 k.w. turbo generator was started up the steam fell from 1501 b to 1001 b and a. wait had to be made to raise a full load of steam again before tho 650 k.v v a. alternator was started for the Public AA’orks Department. By 11 p.m. all were going splendidly and there was a full head of steam. The first trouble experienced by the board was at 6.59 p.m. when the failing of the north line resulted in the power being off for three minutes. At 7.50 p.m. tho power failed for two minutes and when the south line failed and then came up again at 8.40 p.m. tho current was off for a minute. Again, at 9.11 p.m.. tho power failed for three minutes, when the south line again fell and rose. Eleven minutes later another minute's failure was encountered and at 9.31 p.m. the power failed for two minutes. At 9.42 p.m. the alternating current power failed altogether and thirteen minutes later the Department sent their instructions for the stenm plant to commence generating. CITY COUNCIL’S STANDBY. One of tho two steam generating sets in the City Council’s standby

plant was got running at about 10.30 p.m. and was able to supply about 200 k.w. of direct current for lighting the central area. Practically all tho sub urban districts were without power last night, the supply available being suffi cient for the central area only. To-day if Lake Coleridgo p° wer is not available tho second steam set wilt bo set going and a total or 400 k.w. will be generated. It is unlikely in those circumstances that there will- be sufficient power available for supplying tho factories, AT THE AMUSEMENT HOUSES. Each flickering of the lights at the picture houses, with their customary Monday night large attendances, was greeted with cheers. Madame Lipkovska, at the Theatre Royal, continued to sing in the darkness while the engineers tuned up the stand-by plant. When the lights finally failed the auxiliary was generating current, and the Russian singer concluded her recital with the electric footlights shining before her. At the picture houses, when the final electric “fade-out” occurred, tho climax in the dramas was being reached. After awaiting continuation of the denouement of the, plots in the most good-humoured spirit some people left the theatres. The . orchestras played impromptu selections for the amusement- of tho patrons, and the conductor of one of the orchestras ros’e from his stand and amidst much merriment lighted tho candles which decorated the stage. The ballet and the principals of the revue company were dispensing fun at Fuller’s Opera House when the stage lights faded. From behind the scenes numerous candles were brought, and with these dim illuminations they danced and sang their way as best they could through the rest of the programme. Most of the picture theatres had their own stand-by generating plants, but thev were not brought into operation, with the exception of one theatre, for some time after the breakdown.

AA lien the exodus from the houses of amusement was made manv hurried to the waiting tramcars, hut greater numbers still started wearily to .plod homewards.

AA ith the hundreds of people groping then* way through the darkness cf Cathedral Square, the motor-cars casting their spot lights in all directions, the overcoated picture patr<*i darting through the rays of the lights, an oc casional hysterical shriek and the auickened chatter of the crowds, it was indeed a phantom square. Like so many glow worms, the cigarettes, in mid air as it where, showed red in many corners. Youths who preferred to take their stand at the Cathedral kerbing, enjoyed themselves watching the crowds hurrying away, and taxi drivers spent many pleasant minutes throwing beams of their front lights on the little knots of citizens. From the rear of the tramway shelter a few vouths broke out in song. The darkened tramcars were packed with theatre goers, who discussed the pros and cons of the AA r aimakariri and Lake Coleridge schemes. Such was the scene for many minutes—a sleeping city. A blaze of light as the tramway power was switched on, the tram bells clanged, the motor horns blared noisily and once again the Square was its usual busy self at that hour of the night.

THE HOSPITAL. The Public Hospital was not affected by the breakdown, as it does not depend on the supply derived from Lake Coleridge. The hospital has two generating plants, one of which is reserved as a stand-by. CITY COUNCIL MEETING INTERRUPTED. Six times last evening business at a meeting ot the City Council was interrupted by breakdowns in the electric light service. AA r hen the first occurred one councillor was referring to an offer io give a lecture illustrated with slides. Ho had just said “I like a lantern” when the chamber was plunged into darkness. The coincidence caused a roar of laughter. Candles were brought in and tho debate vent on. Later, while the council was discussing electricity sub-stations, the lights went out again. “ This shows wo need the AVcimakariri,” said tin Mayor. In spite of further interrup tions the meeting of the council lasted until after eleven o’clock, though for an hour at one stage candles supplied the only illumination. AY AIMAKARIRI SCHEM E. It is considered that if tho \Aaimakariri power scheme reaches fruition, there will be very much less liability of breakdowns occurring than is the case with Lake Goleridge. The AVaimakariri proposals provide for the transmission lines being supported by steel towers about 75 or So feet high, and suspension insulators, as compared with poles about 35 feet in height and fixed insulators for the Lake Coleridgo transmission lines. Another point in favour of AVaimakariri is that tho distance is 40 miles, as

against 65 miles from Lake Coleridge. OAT.ROOMING BREAKDOAYXS. Similar lines to those proposed under the AVaimakariri scheme have been in operation in Canada, the United States and Switzerland for a number of years and there has never been a shut-down on them like that experienced on the Lake Coleridge lines last night. The AA'innipeg transmission lino, which is 70 miles in length and carries 65.000 volts, never had a shut-down until last year, when a terrific hurri-

cane tore up five miles of poles. Even then the line was in working order again within twenty-four hours. Tho Lake, Coleridge lines, which carry 66,000 volts, have had frequent shutdowns. simply because they have not been designed according to tho most modern ideas. A QUESTIONS. “ There is one question I would like to see answered,” said an engineer this morning. “It is this: How many shutdowns have occurred on the Lake Coleridge transmission lines compared with similar lines in other parts of the world, and whether they have been caused by exceptional storms or by similar trouble to that experienced last HEATING AVATER FOR THE TEPID BATHS. AA hen the first bather took the water at the Municipal Baths this morning he slid into about four feet of water at the deep end of the bath. At the shallow end tho green and white tiles were not covered. The shortage of water was due to the electrical breakdown.

Every night the water is let out of the baths, which are then cleaned, and at 10.30 p.m. the water starts to flow from the boiler, where the water is electrically heated. It is an eighthour job to fill the baths. This morning a. start was made to fill the bath at 3.30 a.m., when the power had been restored. AVith the lucky reserve of yesterday’s water stored in a tank at tho rear of the building, the baths filled in excellent time, the water being cut off at 7.30 a.m. There was very little water, though, in tho baths when they were opened at 6 a.m., but tho bathers were not greatly inconvenienced. Tlie swimmers last evening did not have to swim to the side of the baths and stay there, so as to avoid accidents, till the lights went on, as four high-candle-powered lamps are connected with a battery, and they can be switched on within fifteen seconds of a breakdown.