DAM ALMOST EMPTY

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 196, 16 May 1930, Page 16

DAM ALMOST EMPTY

WATER SHORTAGE AT WAIPORI POWER SUPPLY THREATENED Dominion Special Service. Dunedin, May 15. If no rain should fall within the next fortnight, and the .present rate of power consumption is maintained, the dam at Waipori will be emptied and the city will be short by 3000 h.p. of its daily average load. A deluge of rain is needed; and at a meeting in the Town Hall yesterday the city electrical engineer said that the position could only be saved by Ilin, of rain falling in a very short period. Two schemes for alleviating the position and prolonging the supply of water iu the dam are being considered. The suggestion which appears to meet with the most support is to cancel all tram services between 9 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. and after 7 p.m. A suggestion with a much more serious consequence is that all factories should work on only three or four days a week. Clear evidence of the concern of manufacturers anil other consumers over the seriousness of lhe position was given to-day, when the Council Chamber was packed in, response to the invitation by the mayor to those interested to attend to hear a frank explanation ’of the position, and to suggest means of helping the situation.