RECENT FLOOD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 June 1941, Page 4

RECENT FLOOD

DIFFICULTIES OF POWER BOARD STAFF. The difficulties of maintaining electric power in flooded areas are indicated in a passage of a report submitted to the Wairarapa Electric Power Board at today's meeting by the engineer. Mr H. B. Keenan. "On Sunday, May 4, at 6.50 a.m. a communication, was received that the Weraiti-Taueru areas were without power,” reported Mr Keenan. .“An endeavour was made to reset the automatic line switch but it automatically came out and made the sections dead. Heavy Hooding was taking place in ’.his area and difficulty was experienced, in getting to the proper area to isolate the faulty section. However, after a determined effort power was made available 1o the Weraiti district at 9.20 a.m. and as far as Bennett's Hill on the Taueru section at 11 a.m. A patrol of the section was made from Bennett's Hill to Taueru and revealed that the river had risen some 35 feet (being level with the transformer platform opposite Mr Deans's residence) and the'debris, particularly a large willow tree, had caught up in the 11.000 volt lines carrying away 5 spans. It was impossible to get near the lines under such conditions and it was decided to make an attempt the next morning at daybreak. With the aid of a boat, we were able to locate the men at different parts of the damaged portion and at 4 p.m. on Monday the repair work was completed and the supply to Taueru made available. Inhabitants living in this district for 48 years have never seen a flood of such magnitude.''