LAKE STEADY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20037, 19 September 1930, Page 10

LAKE STEADY.

RAIN NOT EXPECTED AT COLERIDGE. HARPER RIVER FALLING. INCREASE IN DEMAND FROM SOUTH. ' Although the inflow frOm the Harper river 1b decreasing, such is the extent of the public economy of electric power that the level of Lake Coleridge was yesterday once more maintained at 1658,8 ft. The weather at the lake last evening was calm and overcast; at the Harper river a light southerly was blowing. Rain is unlikely. In summary, the position is— Wndncsrliv. Thursday. Lake level . 1,<i53.8fl ' l.OMi.ttfl. (t'.tendy) Flov.- of Harps* river . "AJi cusres 355 tusecs (falling) TluinfuH .. Ni!. Mil. Total consumption 27-', 100 units 2tj,-),710 units Mnx. domund 18,W0 lev/. 17 BSD k.v.\ Koto: Unitei and maximum demand are calculated to 12 o'clock on previous night. Balance of Inflow and Outflow. On August 25th, when the situation at Coleridge was first made known at a meeting of the Christchurch Tramway Board, the level of tho lake was 1058.0 ft, or only .Ift higher than it is at present. At the first meeting of the committee set up by Tuesday's conference of power authorities, it was stated that the lake was then 13.0 ft below its normal level, which is 1072 ft; and from these figures the height of 1658.5 ft, as published in Thk Piikss vesierday, was deduced. It now appears that the figure 13.5 ft was only an approximation, and that the level of the lake has been lO'CS.Si't for the pa:t three days. The inflow from the Harper river alone, 355 cusecs, is sufficient to generate 10,000 kilowatts or 240,000 units in 24 hours; so that while the consumption remains as low us 203,710 units, together with the inllow from tho natural lake feeders, it is sufficient practically to balance the outflow, and so to maintain the level of the lake. Tf the Harper inflow continues to fall, however, the storage of the- lake will again be drawn upon. Southern Demand Increases. At its second daily meeting yesterday, the sub-committee, comprising the City members of the authorities' committee, remarked that although the consumption, compared with that on Wednesday, was 8300 units less, the decrease recorded at tho Addington sub-station, which distributes the whole load north of the ltakaia except in the Malvern Power Board's district, was 10,490 units. Although the committee declined to make any comment on this fact, it is apparent from the figures that in the districts south of the Rakaia the load by 2100 units in 24 hours. The reason for this increase cannot be traced, but it is probably duo to a relaxation of economy by the southern districts. The South Canterbury Power Board has advised that street-lighting has been cut off in the whole of its district, except at the Winchester diversion bridge.

No Censorship Intended. Tho committee made it clear that no attempt would bo made to censor tlio news which it supplies in' daily bulletins to the Press. Its members realised that the public had co-operated splendidly in the move for economy, and that they Avero greatly indebtod to the Press for its assistance. All the information which the committee received would therefore be handed on to the Press and to the public. The sub-com-mittee will meet dai'y, and general committee meetings will be held each week or in any ease of emergency. Decreasing Consumption. The following table shows the daily unit consumption at the Coleridge power-house since Monday, August 25th, when the position was first announced: Week Er.dcd. A\\%. Sept. Sept. Sept. !Ust. 7th. 14lh. 21sl. Monday .. •114,640 373,0« 358,970 25G.710 Tuesday .. 391,880 881,920 536 890 272,100 Wednesday 390,270 883,760 321,940 2C8,710 Thursday .. 380,630 376,330 299,540 Friday . *=2,23() 861.680 2e7.490 Saturday .. 348,810 325.960 243,930 Sunday .. 259,220 249,610 168.C80 Excepting Saturdays and Sundays, when the load is natiifally lighter, tho consumption shows almost a continuous decrease day by day from August 25th until September 17th. Tho only increases are shown on September 16th and for three days in the week ended September 7th. Comparing the first figure with the last, the load has decreased by 151,130 units, or approximately 36 per cent.

LATE SHOPPING KIGHT. RETAILERS TO CLOSE AT 8 p.m. CITY COUNCIL'S REQUEST REFUSED. i Complaints that some shopkeepers had not closed last Friday, that the M.E.D. had declined to make rebates and was using li lrtrgo light in its showroom, and that a firm had advertised publicly that it intended to remain open until 9 p.m., led a meeting of about 40 retail traders to refuse tho request of the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) to close at 6 o'clock this evening, and to announce their intention of remaining open until 8 o'clock. In a reply, Mr Archer regrets their refusal of his request, Which was made as part of the attempt to relieve the load on Lake Coleridge, and fears that some of their arguments are founded on misapprehension. The District Electrical Engineer (Mr R. G. Mac Gibbon) also states that their decision is unfortunate in the present emergency. The appeal for early closing has not been abandoned. Following a conference last week between repre:»»iitatives of the retailers and of the Christchurch City Council, shopkeepers were aßked to close between 5.30 and 7 p.m. last Friday, and this evening from 6 o'clock onwards. Objections to Early Closing. When the request of the Mayor for a six o'clock closing was put before the meeting of retailers, which was held in the Chamber of Commerce Hall yesterday, many objections were raised. Complaints were made that some of. the retailers had not closed last Friday for

the limited time specified; that the Municipal Electricity Department had declined to granj rebates to those offering to cut out water-heaters; that the M.JtI.D. had in its own show-room each night a large light sufficient to illuminate an ordinary shop; and that a certain largo firm had publicly auvertised that it intended to remain open until y p.m. Alter considerable discussion it was finally resolved that those present -would pledge their firms td close at 8 p.m., and would ask all their fellow-re-tailers to observe the same restriction. The tobacconists stated that they would like to remain open until 9 p.m.- since they usually closed at 10 p.m., but their representative agreed to return to their Association and request it to obeervo the 8 o'clock closing. Necessity for Stand-by Plant. -Messrs W. Macliin and C. Ogilvie were appointed by the meeting to convey the decision to the Mayor, and to press him to have the M.E.D. Organise power economies that would be more easily made and would impose less hardship than thoso which retailers had voluntarily imposed on themselves at his request, it was decided also to ask the power committee set up on Tuesday to approach tho . Government on the imperative necessity for a stand- j by plant' in view of tho tact that the Waitaki supply would not bo available for two years; and to urge that tho M.E.D. or any other controlling body J should not in the meantime install anymore heaters or connect any more electric stoves since it was evident that they could not fulfil the contracts at present existing. "To a considerable extent I can sympathise with tho attitudo of the' retailers, though obviously it is easy to raiso objections," said the Mayor in comment on the retailers' decision. "These things, however, do not get us anywhere, and probably some of the objections raised are founded on a misapprehension of the facts. lam afraid it is correct that some retailers did not close j between 5.30 p.m. and 7 p.m. last Friday; but in regard to them the Council haß no power of compulsion, though, of course, individually those of us who bolong to tho Council have a feeling of contempt for thoso who refused to fall into line. Rebates to be Considered. "The reference to the M.E.D.'s refusal of a rebate is really childish, because there has been neither the time nor the opportunity to consider tho question of rebates. Moreover, in that matter the Government is involved as well as the Council, and no doubt when the timo comes for squaring up,' some satisfactory arrangement will be made. The anxiety about rebates seems to mo quite unworthy of the occasion. As for the alleged light in the M.E.D. | showroom, I know nothing about it. 1 should imagine, however, that the General Manager can give a satisfactory explanation of what took place, and probably on enquiry it will be found that the light has been magnified by the imagination of some people from a very small star to a very big sun." • * . Decision Rcgrettod. The District Electrical Engineer (Mr R. G. Mac Gibbon) regretted very much the retailers' decision to stay open until S p.m. This decision would mean an increased tram sorvice, and probably increased street lighting, causing altogether an undesirable drain ou tho take. "Some of the big firms have considered the Council's request only from tho utilitarian point of view, and the fact of their opening until 8 p.m. will force others to open," said the manager* of the Municipal Electricity Department" (Mr E. Hitchcock), replying to tho criticism of his department. He emphasised T that the Council did not want to close the shops at 6 p.m. merely for its own pleasure, but to protect their own interests. In fairness to those retailers who have agreed to close, the Council is advertising an explanation not that its appeal to close at 6 p.m. J3 abandoned, but that it may row not be generally observed.

Installations by M.E.D. Concerning tho complaint that his de partment had objected to paying rebates, Mr Hitchcock stated definitely that no objection had over been made. The question of rebates was so involved and so extensive that it was essentially ono of policy for tho Council as a whole to consider. Because it depended on policy, the department had not dealt with it; but, at tho same time, no consumer had been told that there would be no robatcs. It was quite competent for the Council to make a subsequent adjustment of charges, though this might not be made at once and during n period of emergency. As for the other complaint affecting his department, Mr Hitchcock said that the whole establishment was in darkness except for one pilot light on a bracket at the back of the showrooms, which was essential as an aid to cleaning. The 'statement had been made sweepingly that tho department Bhould not instal any more heaters or connect any more stoves; but it could not so suddenly refuse installations where houses were in building or contracts let depending on it for their supply. The Council had a contract for its oupply from the Government, and there was a difference between present emergency measures and a fundamental matter of policy. The Council did not soe that it could readily refuse installations to people who wore willing to observe tho same restrictions as others.

No Street Lighting Authorised. Mr Hitchcock said that the Oitv Council had authorised no change in the : policy of cutting off street lighting. The Christchurch Tramway. Board advises that the '' Friday " will he followed until 8.35 this evening, and the "Monday, to Thursday" time-table thereafter. ACTION IN TEMUKA. i In connexion with the power shortage from Lake Col&ridge, Mr G. W. Morrison (engineer to the South Canterbury Electric Power Board) waited upon.the Tcmuka Borough Council and 'said that while appreciating the measures already adopted to conserve power in the borough he would like to appeal for a general cutting-out 'of all non-essential services, such as radiators and heaters. He asked that shops be shut from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Tlie Council undertook to recommend that the business, people of Temuka liold a meeting to decide what measures should be adopted in regard to tile closing of shops on Saturday nights during tho emergency. . Street lighting has been cut off and every effort is to be made to induce householders to kgap their requirements to a minimum.