SHORTAGE OF POWER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20564, 15 May 1930, Page 8

SHORTAGE OF POWER.

FEARS IN DTJNEDIN. DAM BEING EMPTIED, URGENT NEED OF RAIN. EMERGENCY PLANS DISCUSSED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DUNEDJN, "Wednesday. Dunedin is threatened with a shortage of electric power as a result of the long spell of dry weather. If no rain falls within the next fortnight and the present rate of power consumption is maintained the dam at Waipori will be emptied and the city will bo short by 3000 h.p. of its daily average load. A deluge of rain is needed, and at a meeting in the Town Hall to-day the city electrical engineer said that tho position could only be saved by ljin. of rain falling in a very short period. The dam at Waipori is rapidly being emptied. Two schemes for alleviating the position and prolonging the supply of water in tho dam are being considered. Tho suggestion which appears to meet with tho most support is to cancel all tram services between 9 a.m. and 4.30 p.rri 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 evidenco of the concern of manufacturers and other consumers over tho seriousness of the position was given today when the council chamber was packed in response to tho 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.