LAKE COLERIDGE

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20022, 2 September 1930, Page 10

LAKE COLERIDGE

MORE ECONOMIES URGED. COUNCIL'S ATTITUDE. SPECIAL POWER TO ELECTRICITY COMMITTEE. After stressing the need' for public and domestic economy in the use of electric power, the Christchurch City Council last evening empowered its Electricity Committee to enforce any emergency economies made necessary by the power shortage at Lake Coleridge. Tho chairman of the committee Cr. H. T. J. Thacker) foreshadowed a reduction in street lighting if tho shortage became serious. In the meantime, a further appeal is made for tlie discontinuance of display and shop lighting after hours, and for the sparing use of radiators. A letter from the District Electrical Engineer (Mr K. G. MacGibbon) stated that the position was still acute, though temporarily relieved. It was very necessary for the Council to consider the City's supply of electricity, said Cr. Thacker. At present Lake Colreidge was sub-normal in every way. The position was serious, though not panicky. Of tho 12,500 k.w., which tho City used, about 5500 k.w. were used in industries. Even if citizens had to go to bod with candles, the power for factories must be maintained. Of 'the remaining 7500 k.w., part was necessary for domestic use. A great deal, however, was used in radiators and other luxury services. The M.E.D. had cut out its window lighting, and was heating the water of tho Tepid Baths by steam. Some relief could be given from the plant at the destructor, but this would militate against itsl efficiency. Reduction In Street Lighting. . Economies had been recommended by the Electrical Engineer (Mr J. C. Forsyth) as follows: — (1) Steam-heating of the Tepid Baths. (2) Reduction in street lighting, (a) by switching-off at midnight, and (b) by lessening the number of lamps used between dusk and midnight. (3) Placing on the destructor plant the whole of the diroct current load. (4) Discontinuance of the Department's use of power for display. A reduction of street lighting would impress on the people the need for economy. The Council should request the discontinuance of all shop and display lighting after hours, and general economies among tho public. A gasengine pumping stand-by plant, relieving a continuous load of 150 k.w., might be brought into use. If the measures were to be efficient they must bo adopted whole-heartedly. A letter from Mr R. G. Mac Gibbon, tho District Electrical Engineer, stressed yesterday that there was still urgent need for economy. "No matter if there came copious rain," added Cr. Thacker, "the lake would hardly be full next March, when we shall have an extra load of between 4000 and 5000 k.w. Next year the lake may be down two months earlier. We have to see that the City will not be stranded next year in mid-winter. Our contract with Lake Coleridge ends in 1037. The Government has distinctly said that if Coleridge failed the City can go ahead with the Waimakann scheme. Wo should seo that the Government will make reasonable provision for a stand-by plant in case we are pressed next winter." Adoption of Daylight Saving. Cr. Thacker suggested the adoption of one hour's daylight saving as a most important Telief measure. "When he was at Waitaki there was a tremendous squander of electricity there. People should know that almost tho whole of the power used at Awakino came from Lake Coleridge. The whole place was a blaze of light, night and day. Cr. Thneker nrced acain that citizens should concentrate on saving individual units. The Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) said that it would bo advisable to let the Electricity Committee take such steps as it deemed fit in conjunction with tho officers of the Department. He moved that this be done.

Weather Must Break. In seconding the motion, Cr. M. E. Lyons held that those who knew the back country well thought that Christchurch was getting unduly apprehensive. From now to January a cycle of nor • west rains would probably spread many inches of rain over the catchment area, part of which would gravitate into the lake. These rains had never failed yet, but meantime it was proper to conserve the existing electrical supply. The suggestion of one hour's daylight saving was worthy of consideration, though the rest of the South Island would probably not fall into line. There was no need, however, to* become panicky. Cr. A. W. Beaven said that the lake had never been so low as it was now because the water was pouring through two big holes which even the old iden-, titles which Cr. Lyons talked of had never seen before. They must set the ATumtJlo in the conservation of energy by Shutting off some of the Council's own lights. •The Mayor's motion was earned.

rise in lake LEVEL. temporary relief. STILL NEED FOR ECONOMY. Although since last Thursday, because of a break in the drought, there has been a rise of 2.4 in in the level of Lake Coleridge, the danger of a power shortage remains serious unless there is a heavy downpour of rain this month. The rainfall during the last four days has given only temporary relief, and the District Electrical Engineer (Mr R. G. Mac Gibbon) urged yesterday that economies of power should be increased rather than relaxed. The level of the lake yesterday was 1658.8 ft, compared with 1658.7 ft on Saturday, and 1G58.6ft last Friday. The inflow from the Harper river, which was on Sunday 375 cusecs, had yesterday increased to 400 cusecs following a fall of .09in of rain in the watershed for the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. The weather at 10 o'clock last night was calm and overcast. The height of the lake above the main intake cylinder is now about sft 6in. The fall in the lake level haß reduced the pressure of the water, necessitating the flow of a greater volume to drive the turbinea. Where, normally 82

cusecs are required to generate each 1000 kilowatts of power, 35 cusecs are now required. Mr Mac Gibbon is to leave for Lake Coleridge this morning.

Manufacturers' Deputation.

Yesterday morning a deputation ap- ! pointed by the Canterbury Manufacturers' Association at its meeting last Wednesday waited on the District Electrical Engineer. Mr H. B. Anderson was the chairman of the deputation, which comprised Messrs E. .Archbold, A. E, Mercer, and E. H. Webb. Mr Anderson subsequently stated to The Press that Mr Mac Gibbon had outlined the stops taken by the Department to overcome the difficulty. While there had been a fall Of rain during the last few days, this would only have a small effect on the water level. The present indications of continued fine weathor mado tho position still acute. While the Department had circularised the consuming authorities, impressing tho need of economy, said Mr Mac Gibbon, it had no power to enforce economies, but could only' rely on those authorities' co-operation. The deputation interviewed the Town ■Clerk (Mr J. S. Neville) and the Chief Engineer of the Municipal Electricity Department (Mr J. C. Forsyth). As a result of their visit, recommendations for economy were brought before the Christchureh City Council at its meeting last evening. Mr Mac Gibbon is sending a further circular letter to the othe; authorities which his Department supi plies. - - •