RESTRICTIONS ON POWER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3854, 24 January 1928, Page 38

RESTRICTIONS ON POWER.

WATER SHORTAGE AT MANGAHAO. WANGANUI, January 19. The Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric Power Board is taking a serious view ot the shortage of water and the difficulties imposed in connection with electric power supply. At the board meeting to-day it was decided to take every precaution while the shortage continues by conservation wherever possible. It was stated that had the board to depend solely on the. Mangahao source certain restrictions would be necessary. It was decided tha» should the situation continue to gro * worse the industries would be given pre ference, and that luxury services only would be curtailed. It is understood tha' the community lighting system will L» discontinued until the position is restored to normal.

Mr John Morrison (Deputy Mayor) saia to-day that he and Mr Fred Purnell (chair man of the Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric Power Board) visited Mangahao yesterday at the invitation of the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board for the purpose of 'nspecting the works in the course of erection and also regarding the question of the supply at the present time. Mr Morrisoi said the situation regarding water supply was extremely serious as very little water was left in the dams. The authorities at Mangahao were depending on the Wanganui and Wellington steam plains and the Palmerston North borough’s sue tion gas plant. They had notified these concerns to supply all they could to relieve the situation. Mr Morrison said he was informed that the citizens if tee town would have to curtail all the oower thev could. A big effort was being made to. keep the dairy factories and flax mills going. 7he latter were nov working al night time instead of in the day. There was a new dam with a large holding capacity now being completed at Manga ' hao. and if rain came the situation would be saved.