NO STREET LIGHTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19375, 13 July 1937, Page 9

NO STREET LIGHTS

SHORTAGE OF POWER GREYMOUTH PROBLEM Added to the soaring demand for power in the Grey River Power Board’s district and the delay in heightening the dam at the Arnold River generating plant, a spell of fine frosty weather has had its effect upon the river and the level of the water is now exceptionally low, possibly as low as the river has even been. Curfew conditions ruled in Greymouth last week as far as street lights were concerned. As an economy measure it was decided not to turn on fne street lights. The domestic and business supply was not effected. From 7 o’clock in the morning the system required all the water in the river and the heavy load throughout the day started to draw on the water stored behind the dam. Early in the afternoon it was found necessary to call upon several dredges to cease work in order to allow the water to accumulate. At one stage the water was 3ft. 6in. below the crest of the dam, but on Friday it had been restored to over a foot above the crest. The borough pumping station reverted to gas.

All possible economy measures bad to be taken owing to the late shopping night, when normal supplies were only just fulfilled.