ELECTRICITY STILL BEING RATIONED

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 204, 26 May 1938, Page 12

ELECTRICITY STILL BEING RATIONED

Position In Southland

By Telegraph—Press Association.

Invercargill, May 25.

Although eoastal districts experienced stormy conditions with occasional 'showers of rain to-day, the weather at Monowai remained fine and there were no indications during the day of the watershed surrounding'' the lake bene-fiting-from the rain. The level of the lake has shown only very slight variation during the past week, some benefit having been obtained from several slight falls of rain, but during the six weeks since restrictions on the use of electricity first became necessary the level dropped a further foot to nearly seven feet below normal. When the Monowai scheme was established about 15 years ago the level of the lake was artificially raised 10 feet, and it is now at the lowest level since the generation of electricity was begun. The raising of the level resulted in the engulfing of bush on the foreshore, and dead scrub and tree trunks are now standing a considerable distance out of the water, indicating the great change that has occurred during recent months. A high-water mark is to be seen all round the lake almost seven feet above the present level and the appearance is similar to that of a bush-clad fiord at low tide.

Electric power is still being rationed throughout Southland. Invercargill has had no street lights in the suburbs, except those on tram routes, since before Easter. Occasionally it is necessary to ent off power to homes for varying periods early in the evening.