FEAR OF POWER SHORTAGE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20024, 4 September 1930, Page 19

FEAR OF POWER SHORTAGE.

COUNCIL WILL TAKE ACTION. LAKE LEVEL MAINTAINED. Economies in the use of electric current are certain to be enforced at this afternoon's meeting of the Electricity Committee of the Christchurch City Council, the chairman of that oommittue (Cr. H. T. J. Thacker) told a reporter of The Press yesterday. After stressing the need for public and domestic economy in the use of electricity, the Council on Monday evening empowered its Electricity Committee to rake any emergency steps made necessary by the shortage at Lake Coleridge. The recommendations of the Electrical Engineer ot tne M.E.D. (Mr J. C. Forsyth), aft read to the Council by Cr. Thackcr, were as follows: , • i (1) Steam-he«ting of the Tepid Baths. ~ . .. /o v (2) Reduction in street lighting, (a) by switching-off at midnight; and ( ) by lessening the number ot lamps used between dusk and midnight. (3) Placing on the destructor plant the whole of the direct current load. (4) Discontinuance of the Department's use of power for display. Economies Negligible.

Of thee 3 recommendations, the first and the last have already been put into effect. A reduction of street lighting and the carrying of the direct current load by the destructor plant will both bo considered by the committee at its meeting to-day, and it is certain that some action will be taken. It is emphasised that while a curtailment of street lighting would not greatly lessen the load on Lake Coleridge, its moral effect would be valuable. Economies in the domestic use of current must rest entirely upon the public conscience; for to enforce any regulations that might be made prohibiting the use of radiators and water-heaters would necessitate such an army of inspectors as no local body could provide. So far, the economies made by the public have been almost negligible: allowing for a relief of 1000 kilowatts from the Christchurch Tramway Board's stand-by plant, the maximum load at the power-nouse last week was 24,240 kilowatts, compared with 25,220 the previous week. At the Addington sub-station the peak load was 17,670 kilowatts, 940 less than that in the week before. The District Electrical Engineer (Mr R. G. Mac Gibbon) urges that the public should realise the seriousness of the position and make some effort to ensure that an actual shortage doe 3 not occur. The water level at Lake Coleridge yesterday was still maintained at IGsß.Bft, but the flow of the Harper river had decreased from 370 to 3GO cnsecs. Although a north-west galo and rain were indicated yesterday, neither materialised. There has been no rain since 9 a.m. on Monday, when .09in only was recorded. The average inflow from the Harper river last week was 290 cnsecs, compared with 155 ousecs in the previous week The lake level reached its minimum of 1658.6 ft on Tlmrsday last, and has remained at 1658.5 ft since Mondav. In the corresponding week of 1929. the level was !G67.S2ft: of 1928. 1661.25 ft; and of ■mo? lfi(sP.6ft. The level of the lake remained constant yesterday, according to a report received from the power-house late last night.

There was then a light breeze from the *o'*th-east, and it looked ns if there might he some showers during the right. Two or three very light showers fell at the lake yesterday.

PROGRESS LEAGUE DISCUSSION. i "li ECONOMY URGED. Tho executive of the Canterbury Progress League discussed last night fie present position in respect of Lake Coleridge and future possibilities, it was decided to recommend strongly all supply authorities to take steps to curtail public lighting at night time during the time of stress. ' Replying to a letter from the League, the Hon. W. B. Taverner, Minister for Public Works, wrote that the Government was fully aware of the importance of completing the Waitaki hydro-electric works at the earliest possible time. "With regard to tae particular point as to wneiner the v» aitalti piaut will be iu commission so as to otmace the necessity ot tno Lane Ctoueriuge jfiant Having to carry a heavy overload during the winter of 1932." auued the Minister, "i am advised that the Department* have always considered this period as being a particularly critical one. not so much in respect to plant capacity as in respect to the amount of water available, particularly if the summer season of 1931-32 should be one with low rainfall Although many ot our consumers in the area are' already taking more power than we have contracted to supply, the Department is hopeful of being able to supply them all without anv restriction. To make the position more secure, I have just approved a commencement being made with the diversion of a certain quantity of water from the Acheron river into the lake, which, it is considered, will be a considerable help in any but an abnormally dry year."

Organiser's Report. The League's organiser (Mr JE. K. Climie) made a verbal report. He said that the reason »vhy the publicwas not earlier informed of the situation was that the Public Works i>ept. anticipated that rain would come and relieve the position. The drought ot the past six months had been exceptional. After quoting the rainfall figures relating to Lake Coleridge for the period March-August. 1928 and 1930. he said that some considered that the trouble was to some extent due to neglect on the part of someone. He had discussed the position with independent engineers, and trom what he could see the trouble had been brought about entirely by the exceptionally dry spell experienced, which could not have been foreseen by anybody. Waimakariri Affected. Even the Waimakariri had ■ been, affected, though, perhaps, not to the same marked degree as Lake Coleridge. He quoted the following figures relating to the minimum flow in the Waimakariri:— 1930 1929 cusecs. cusecs. March ... 1000 1600 April ... 960 1600 May ... 900 , 1600 June ... 1000 1500 July ... 900 1800 August ... 900 1500 When Hawley and Co. reported on the Waimakariri power scheme he believed they worked on a basis ,of a, minimum flow of 1200 cusecs, and that

the City Council, to be on the safe side, worked on a basis of 1000 cusdcs. He understood that all Canterbury rivers had been affected by the minimum rainfall. The rainfall at Arthur's. Pass, from March to August, 1930, had been 34.7 inches, as compared with 61.69 inches in the same period of 1929. Further Diversion of the Harper. He thought that they-should recommend the Department to consider seriously the diversion of the maximum flow in the Harper. The lake level was approximately 4ft below what was anticipated, and it was a question whether it would recover before next winter. He was informed by the very best authorities that there was nothing to fear as far as the immediate present was eonoerned; what tliey had to bo anxious about was next winter. The capacity of the present diversion of the Harper river was 800 cusecs, but he believed it could carry 1000 cusecs. As much as 20,000 cusecs went down the Harper when it was in flood.

Three Weeks' Supply. Mr E. H, Webb said that the City Council wanted everybody to assist, and that was quite right. But the City Council was looked upon, more or less, ns the parent body, and it was thought it should set an example, even to the extent of cutting off the street lights at midnight. If that were done the other Councils would follow suit immediately. He was told that practically there was only three weeks' supply of water in the lake, provided there was no relief in the form of a heavy rainfall. Difficulties would be experienced in some factories to work shifts, and it was necessary that everything passible should be done to economise the use of electricity. Mr Climio, remarked that it should be borne in mind that September was about the wettest month in the whole year. Replying to Mr E. H. Wyles, he said he had been unable to get any information as to the time it would take to make the additional diversion of the Harper river.

Mr J. S. Ainsworth questioned whether the additional diversion of the Harper could be effected in time to alleviate the present position. In the case of the works at Waitaki it was necessary, m order to get the work done, «tw lights at ni B ht - He moved: mat this League strongly recommends every supply authority to curtail public lighting at night during this time of "stress." ™°. m °tion was agreed to, and the •rganiser 'a report was received.