TRAMWAY BOARD MUST PROVIDE POWER FOR RUNNING THE TRAMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19158, 26 August 1930, Page 5

TRAMWAY BOARD MUST PROVIDE POWER FOR RUNNING THE TRAMS.

Acheron River Is To Be Diverted To Check Fall In Level Of Lake Coleridge.

TT'OR at least three months the Christchurch Tramway Board Jr will generate its own power. The fall in the level of Lake Coleridge has caused the Public Works Department not only to require this action as a precautionary measure, but also to put in hand at once the work of diverting the Acheron River into the lake.

Something in the nature of a bomb, shell was dropped at yesterday’s meeting of the Christchurch Tramway Board when notification was received that, owing to the drop in the level of Lake Coleridge, the board’s power plant would have to be put into operation to-day to supply power for the trams. The board was informed that it would have to provide power for the trams for three months.

The general manager (Mr Frank Thompson) said that Mr R. G. MacGibbon (electrical engineer for the Public Works Department in Christchurch) had waited on him and informed him that the board would have to generate its own power for the next two or three months owing to the shortage of water at Lake Coleridge. Mr Thompson then read the following letter from Mr MacGibbon:— “ Referring to our interview this morning, I beg to confirm the request made by the Department that your board operate a tramway steam standby plant to take their own load as from to-morrow.

“ The arrangements made were as follows: That your board commence operation of the plant as from August 26 for a period of not less than three months; that your board operate a 1000 k.w. set only from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m and, as far as is possible, take the full load from this set during these hours The price to be paid for this service will be at the rate of 5d per unit as measured on the meters installed on the steam set.

“ I would be obliged if you would give instructions that the meter readings on this set be ’phoned through to the operator at the Addington substation at midnight every night, so that our records may be kept in order “ Well,” said the chairman after the letter had been read, “ will somebody move that we give effect to this request? **

“ We have no alternative,” said Mr E. H. Andrews, “ we have got to.”

of rain and snow in the back country, the present level of Lake Coleridge is considerably lower than would have been the case if normal weather conditions had prevailed. Since the beginning of March this year, when the lake level was 1670 feet, the rainfall has been exceptionally low, and the flow from the natural lake feeders, plus that from the Harper River, has been gradually decreasing until they have established a record for minimum flow The Department has asked the Christchurch Tramway Board immediately to operate their steam plant to its full capacity, and this plant will be run until sucl) time as the situation becomes satisfactory.

“A great deal of assistance can be tendered in reducing the demand by all consumers exercising strict economy in the use of electricity for the next few weeks, and the Department would be grateful for such assistance. “It should be borne in mind that there is no immediate cause for anxiety regarding supply, but the Department feels that, in the interests of consumers generally, a frank statement of the situation should be made public. The steps being taken by the Department and the assistance rendered by consumers generally will, it is considered, remove the possibility of any untoward situation arising before the prolonged drought has broken. “With regard to the possibility of similar conditions arising next year when there will be a natural increase of load, the Department has decided to put in hand immediately the diversion of the Acheron River into Lake Coleridge. This work will be completed as soon as possible, and will provide for a considerable additional supply of water.”