WATER STORAGE FOR POWER

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27911, 7 March 1956, Page 12

WATER STORAGE FOR POWER

CONTINUED FALL IN LAKES CHRISTCHURCH QUOTA AGAIN EXCEEDED Storage in South Island lakes continued its sharp fall in the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. yesterday. The storage figure then was 37,870.000 units, compared with 40,050.000 units on Monday—a drop of 2,180.000 units. In the corresponding 24 hours of last week, the drop was 1.380.000 units — • from 50,410,000 to 49,030,000 units. There is little chance of replenishment by rain, for the State Hydroelectric Department reported yesterday that the weather throughout the area was calm and clear, with no rain anywhere. In spite of the seriousness of the situation—only • a few weeks’ storage is left if the present rate of draw-off continues—the new reduced quota foi the Municipal Electricity Department’s area was exceeded by 20.8 per cent, in the 24 hours of Monday. The electricity committee of the Christchurch City Council may decide to introduce more economy measures when it meets on Thursday and discusses the appeal by the General Manager of the State Hydro-electric Department (Mr A. E. Davenport). Alternatives available are the district cuts system, dividing Christchurch city into several areas, each of which ' has compulsory cuts at certain peak periods in turn, or compulsory cuts over the whole M.E.D. area. The district system was applied last year, i Officers of the M.E.D., at the instruc- | tion of the committee, have a quota ! lationing system, similar to that intro- : duced for a short time last year, ready to put into operation on April 1, if this is necessary. Inspections are still being made in , the evenings to see that the regulations on neon lighting, shop and shop window lighting are being complied j with, and the position appears to be fairly satisfactory. Although the committee realises that many persons must be failing i to turn off their water heaters be- j tween 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., it has not ' yet instructed M.E.D. inspectors to ■ investigate such breaches of the com- i pulsory regulations. Dunedin Cuts

Stringent cuts have been imposed in Dunedin. Compulsory cuts are being imposed there between 6.45 p.m. and 7 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and from 3.30 p.m. to" 4.30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Water heaters must be switched ofi between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., and inspectors of the Dunedin City Council have been instructed to ensure that householders are complying with the restrictions. The secretary of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association (Mr R. T. Alston) said yesterday that manufacturers would take meter readings on Friday for collection on Monday and submission to a meeting of a committee of the association on Tuesday. Restriction quotas would then be worked out.