CRISIS APPROACHES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1076, 13 September 1930, Page 1

CRISIS APPROACHES

POWER SHORTAGE GROWS WORSE CHRISTCHURCH SHOPS CLOSE Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. Although heavy south-west rain fell in Christchurch today, the weather was fine, with the sky overcast, at Lake Coleridge. The lake level fell one inch during the last 24 hours. I It is now improbable that the northwest wind, which is the only wind that brings rain in the mountains, will come for four or five days. Condi- ; tions looked favourable for a north* wester yesterday, but now that a southerly storm has developed there is no likelihood of a north-west wind : for some days. The crisis is now definitely nearer. The Public Works Department’s engineer has not stated the minimum level to which the lake may be allowed to fall, but has indicated that there is such a limit. When that is i reached, only so much water as daily j enters the lake will be allowed to pass i through the turbines, and the genera- | tion will be from 4,000 to 7,500 kw. ! This, will involve the strict rationing j of power to the distributing authori- ! ties. In the meantime the use of standby plants with economies has reduced *he load on Lake Coleridge. The : shops in the city were closed this evening from 5.30 p.m. to 7 p.m.. and ! opened from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., with restricted lighting. Some shopkeepers even used candles and lamps j for window and verandah displays.