MANGAHAO FACES A PROBLEM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3748, 31 January 1928, Page 2

MANGAHAO FACES A PROBLEM.

REDUCED OUTPUT UNLESS RAIN IS 'PLENTIFUL. r-t~

The misty rain which greeted people on their arising on Saturday morning was counted upon to save the situation at Mangahao, where the drought of a month’s duration played havoc with the dams, reducing them from lakes to gaping ravines carrying an insignificant volume of water (says the Levrv Chronicle). There are three dams —-Arapeti (No. 1), Mangahao (No. 2), and the new top dam (No. 3), which latter has not yet had a chance to collect any water. When a party representing local bodies visited the dams ten days ago, the water in the first had dropped 25 feet and in the other 30 feet, and the level was dropping at the rate of 2 feet every three days. The drought conditions have been responsible for a fall of 4 inches a day 7 , over and above the help by the steam plants at Wellington, Palmerston North and Wanganui, which have been supplementing the Mangahao power supply. Owing to partial breakdowns of some of the fuel plants, however, the fall has reached on some days as much as 12 inches, which was the ease last Thursday night. Mr. I. R. Robinson, Chief Electrical Engineer of the Wellington District, who was interviewed by a representative of the Chronicle on Saturday, stated that a light rain, or drizzle, was then falling at Mangahao, and the water level was now about the same as it was ten days ago. The need for economy in the utilisation of current was still urgent, however, and a conference would be held of representatives of the various Power Boards to consider the matter at an early date. The assisting steam-plant at Palmerston had had a good deal of trouble, through the engines breaking down, which seriously reduced the power available. The Wanganui plant had jilso been experiencing a certain amount of difficulty, due to the boilers, and as a result had only been putting out about two-thirds of its usual supply. This plant, however, would be working at its full capacity, again from Saturday. Yesterday the Longburn freezing works suction-gas and steam, plant was set in action, relieving the Mangahao works of the supply of electricity to that concern. Further, the load would be lightened l?y the Government railway workshops changing over from day to night work/taking power from 11 p-m. to 7 a.m., when more is available. Mr. Robinson again stressed tiff importance <Jf ecenomy in the use of the current by eliminating nonessential services during the emergency. In the event of the rain not being experienced at an early date, serious reductions would have to be made. It is anticipated that the plant can be operated with the present reduced output down to a 38 feet below overflow leve.. Wk this leaves only 8 feet to come and go on, it is pateht that without fairly copious rain the Mangahao system has not much longer t.o