HEAVY RAIN IN MOUNTAINS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25240, 19 July 1947, Page 10

HEAVY RAIN IN MOUNTAINS

MORE WATER FOR GENERATORS

LAKE AND RIVERS HIGHER

A saving of 19.6 per cent, was made over the whole of the M.E.D. area on Thursday. The saving in the old area was 20.3 per cent, and again the new areas failed to obtain the savings required. . . A rise of 3 inches in the level of Lake Coleridge was reported yesterday morning, the level being 1664.25 leet, the highest for several weeks. Torrential rain was reported by sta-tion-holders in the district on Thursday night and the Harper river had a greatly increased flow yesterday. All creeks were running high late on Thursday. The weather yesterday morning, however, was cloudy, with a light north-west wind. The flow in the Waitaki river also increased, the flow being 5000 cusecs, against 4700 cusecs on Thursday morning. Heavy rain fell at Tekapo on Thursday night and this should have its effect to-day and to-morrow on the i ecorded flow at the generating station near Kurow. Yesterday morning the weather was fine at Tekapo. When the 30 per cent, cut on power consumption was introduced the level of Lake Coleridge was 1662.6 feet, since when it has risen 1.65 feet. The lake level has risen Ift 6in since tne power cut was lowered to 20 per cent, on the consumption for the same week of last year. That reduced consumption became operative on June 24. The Riccarton Borough Council will increase power for water heating up • to the limit of the units available from Monday, said the Town Clerk (Mr R. Sarjeant) This might vary slightly from day to day. The council would attend to the switching arrangements and consumers would be charged on the present basis, that was, for 12 hours, until other arrangements could be made. Street lighting would be continued as at present, from dusk to midnight.