DROUGHT EFFECTS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1930, Page 5

DROUGHT EFFECTS

CAUSE SHORTAGE OF POWER. IN MARLBOROUGH DISTRICT. (By Telegrapn—Per Press Association.) BLENHEIM, April 3. Though not : apparently as badly off as New Plymouth, the town of Blenheim, and Marlborough generally is feeling the effects of the long drought. On the provincial hydro-electric scheme, a system of rationing electricity has been adopted. The only street lights in use are those in the centre of the town. Power is shut off every night at 10.30, until 6 in the morning, and again front 10 a.m.

to 4 p.in. The result is that everybody goes to bed early, and though electricity is available for heating and cooking, the switching off from 10 to 4 makes -power plants practically useless, so there lias been a great furbishing up of old gas engines. The Power Board’s deisel stand-bv plant which would have obviated the present difficulty, is now being landed from. England and its erection is being pushed on with immediately. The Power Board is suggesting Governmental development of power at Lake Rotoroa to supply the needs of A 1 avl bo rough, Nelson and os • Coas. but there is strong public feeling that the Government should be urged to develop the source of supply at Clarence which would serve as <> feeder for Canterbury, and supply the whole of the wants of Canterbury, Marlborough and the East Coast, practically for ever.