WAIPORI DWINDLING

Evening Star, Issue 20472, 1 May 1930, Page 8

WAIPORI DWINDLING

SERIOUS SHORTAGE FEARED CONSUMERS ASKED TO ECONOMISE Au urgent appeal to users o)' the lighting, heating, and power _ current that is generated at Waipori is issued by Cr J. H. Shaddock, chairman «i the Electric Power and Lighting Department of the City Corporation. As a, result of the recent dry weather, prolonged from about the middle of February and not yet recovered from, the stored water in Imho Mahinerangi Las diminished rapidly and in increasing ratio. Yesterday the level of the water in the lake was shown by the dam recorder to stand at 31ft Gin, nr only a little over Oft above the centre of the discharge pipes, and it is estimated that on the present loading, unless copious rain comes, the. stored water will last no more than about three weeks. Such an extension of the scarcity is not probable. Light rain, was falling this morning, and the indications aro for a full refreshing. But the authorities are not trusting to “ maybes.” The position is not assured until heavy rains refill the lake. The appeal now issued is therefore warranter!. j Of course the steam plant is available as a standby, ft could probably bo got ready within a few days to take its full load. But even with tho_ assistance of this and the Diesel engines Waipori, with the dam empty and relying solely on the water in the river, could not carry oue-lialf ol the present daily load of between f7,D00 and 18,000 horse-power. This would menu serious loss and inconvenience to consumers. As it is desired to avoid compulsory restriction if at- all possible, the only solution until adequate rain descends is to reduce the consumption of stored water. This can bo done to an appreciable extent if consumers will voluntarily keep down their consumption of lighting, beating, or power current to an absolute minimum (luring the emergency. Setting an example, the City Corporation lias decided to switch off all street lamps at midnight, commencing from to-night. It is hoped that consumers will eo-operalo and assist in slaving off. and possibly avoiding altogether, the day when it will bo necessary to restrict their supply of power because there is not sufficient to go round.