LIGHTS OUT

Grey River Argus, 11 September 1930, Page 4

LIGHTS OUT

AT CHRISTCHURCH Coleridge Still Falling (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, September IL No good news came from Lake Coleridge to-day. The weather was fine and clear, but a falling barometer gave hope for a north-west wind, with rain. The level of the lake fell again today, but the Public Works Engineers are not now giving the exact figures. Several meetings held in the city today showed the concern of the power users about the situation. The retailers have agreed, tentatively, to cut out the late shopping night, provided that all of the retailers abide by this decision. The street lighting in the city tonight was cut down to a minimum. Most of the streets were in complete darkness, but a few lights still showed in Cathedral Square and at the busiest ntersectons. The picture theatres will be greatly affected by the power failure. All except the two newest theatres, however. have stand-by plants, but these were installed for the silent films, and they are not sufficiently powerful to operate the talkies. The Drainage Board to-day ran its own suction gas pumping plant, but, unfortunately, it can carry only half the load. A new pump is being obtained for the water supply, but this cannot be operated for some weeks vet. The biggest economies are possible in the domestic use of current, but the authorities are believed to be at a loss to discover how to enforce economies which would, in cases, admittedly cause a serious hardship.