RAIN WANTED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3757, 21 February 1928, Page 2

RAIN WANTED.

SLIGHT SHOWER ON SUNDAY.

There was a slight shower of rain in this district on Sunday, but not sufficient to revive drooping vegetation or parched grazing areas. Towards the- hills on Sunday there was a continuous fall, which registered 55 points at Mangahao. This fall, however, according to the Engineer-in-charge at the power house was hardly enough to make any material difference to the water storage. The actual position was that, during the week-end, the water in the dams, which would have risen nine inches owing to the Sunday cessation of industries, had gone up to the extent of 1 foot 9 inches. This was a net gain of one foot, and it wovdd be of advantage if augmented by further rain. On Saturday the position at Mangahao was the same as it had been for the previous five weeks. At the present time Mangahao is supplying between 2000 and 3000 k.w., while the current being turned back is 16,000 k.w.

The following plants are feeding into the parallel with Mangahao, and thus helping to relieve the load. Three pants at Wellington, Gear Meat Works, Mangaore Power House, Feilding, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Wairarapa Hydro, Napier, Hastings, and the Tomoana Meat Works.

At the present moment the dams regain their level every 24 hours. During the night, Mangahao shuts down and the dams are thus able to regain their level. The position is still very serious and it is absolutely essential that the strictest economy be observed in the nse of power.