BREAKDOWN AT LAKE COLERIDGE

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 56, 30 November 1921, Page 6

BREAKDOWN AT LAKE COLERIDGE

SERIOUS POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH. By Tcleeraph—Press Association. Christchurch, November 29. Regarding the breakdown of the new generator at the Lake Coleridge powerhouse, Afr. Hitchcock, general manager of t'he city electricity department, made the following statement to-day:— "The position calls for a full realisation by the public of its seriousness. The trouble is quite unprecedented and Ims resulted in reducing the capacity of the plant to half of that which was confidently anticipated a few weeks ago Replacements cannot be made for at least three or four months, and while it is fortunate that these 'happen to be the slimmer months, it is only by the cooperation of Hie whole community with tho supply authorities that senons disorganisation can be averted. The City Council is r*nintaining its steam plant and sharing the load. Before being able to riate specificallv how it is pronosed to control the load to t'he best, advantage to all consumers, it may b» necessary to go carefully into the whole question of the relative demands of the different industries, but it must be obvious to everyone that all domestic consumers must economise rmully chirimr ’ from 7.45 a.m. to 5.15 p.m. By shifting everything possible to the night load and bv getting tlie (ramways to take 11,-ir share, and by taking all we can with our own steam riant, it may be nos-ibl" +n meet the city’s requirements with 'the remaining, plant without serious disorganisation."