POWER SHORTAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23017, 20 April 1938, Page 10

POWER SHORTAGE

SOUTHLAND'S PLIGHT RATIONING ENFORCED URGENT NEED OF RAIN LAKE AT LOW LEVEL [BY TF.r.KGnAPFI PRKSS ASSOCIATION] INVERC'ARGILL, Tuesday The resumption of the drastic rationnig of electric-power in Southland was found necessary again to-day with the reopening of business after the holidays.' Rationing had been carried out in the country during the week-end, but the city area had been exempt since Ihuisday night. Lights were on in the business section of the city to-night, and the tram service was maintained, but in the suburbs there were no lights from six to 7.30 o'clock. It had been intended to keep the lights off until 9.30, but at 7.30 it was found possible to increase the city load. Appeal lor Economy i An appeal to residents to curtail the use of power as much as possible was made to-night by the city electrical engineer, Mr. A. C. Corman. He par* ticularly requested shopkeepers not to use power for window displays or for illuminating signs. Every effort is being made by the authorities to avoid inconvenience to industries and to farmers using electricity for milking cows. The position at Monowai is reported to be much the same. Advice obtained from, the Meteorological Department is to the effect that rain can probably be expected before the end of the month. A good fall of rain, enough to lift the lake level several inches, would be a great help, but sufficient to restore the lake to its normal level is really required. Minister's Concern Concern at the serious shortage of electric-power in Southland was expressed by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. I?. Semple, in a telephone interview this evening. He promised to take up the matter immediately with his departmental officers and see what could be done to relieve the position. The department, he said, was hurrying as fast as possible with the connection between the Waitaki and Southland schemes, and when that was completed there would be an ample supply of power available for Southland. The Minister expressed regret that the consumers of electricity were experiencing inconvenience, but said his department had for some time been doing its best to improve the supply to the province.