LAKE COLERIDGE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1930, Page 3

LAKE COLERIDGE

RISING FOR SOME DAYS. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) CHRISTOHURGHj October 13. Lake Coleridge is now, over a foot higher .than when it was at its lowest recently. At the rate at which the water level in Coleridge, has been rising during the past few days, it sh°u.d not be long before, it .will be possible to remove, the main restrictions on. the use of power. At nine, o’clock yesterday morning the lake was only fout and four-fifths inches below the safety margin, of 1660 .feet, which is to be reached before street lighting is to be restored. It. is anticipated that the lake wijl be restored to a level of 1660 feet early this week, as the. absence of lieayy demands on the power supply yesterday will, help to relieve the position.

The lowest level reached during the period of the shortage was 1658.8 feet, and the lake is now thirteen and onefifth inches higher than that. In the period -of twenty-four, hours ended at oa.m. yesterday there was a rise of an inch and four-fifths, bringing the level up to 1650.60 feet. Since Friday the inflow from the Harper. River has dropped from the maximum of 820, cusecs to a rate of 600 cusecs, and it is expected that there will be. a further decrease.

It is expected that the first stage in the removal of the restriction will, be the restoration of street lighting until midnight. This will probably be done early this week, as there is a strong body of opinion in the city that, the ..should nOAv be restored. The operation of half an hour’s 'daylight saving from yesterday, will help the position as. regards the lighting demand.

There was a decrease in the demands on. the power-house on. Saturday, as compared with ‘the previous Saturday, the output of units being 237,570. and 249,44 Q respectively. The- maximum demand also dropped from 18.400 k.w, on the, previous Saturday at 17.280 k.w. last Saturday. This falling off is attributed to the steady improvement in the. weather conditions,.