WATER SHORTAGE AT MANGAHAO.

Shannon News, 3 February 1928, Page 3

WATER SHORTAGE AT MANGAHAO.

The absence of rain has aggravated the situation at the Mangahao i.ydroclectrical works. During Monday the level in the dams tell nine inches, while during Tuesday, a drop of s»x inches was recorded. r lhe works at present are practically in the position cf beinp' able to geneiate no more cur vent than can be obtained from the depleted flow of the Mangahao stream, and that is exceedingly small. The Mayor of Pahnerston North (Mr \ J Giliham), Borough Councillors, and heads of departments, visited the dams on Wednesday. The huge volume ofSwater that once extended like a lake for the best part of a mile up the val lev, was found to have shrunk into a pond of about one-third the size, being fed by the merest trickle from the Arapeti 'stream. The Arapeti dam was whollv dependent, upon rlie water l.i-ovubt through the tunnel trom the Mangahao, but over the ridge the position "was found to be not much better. Where once was a huge valley of water at. the present time there is a sickly looking pond. The-stream has been un able to cope with the draw-oft. with the result that a ravine of dead t.-ecs—■ •killed by submersion—has been brought to light,' The third dam, higher up, de--.ioiK-d to hold three times as much water as the Mangahao dam, was also visited. Unfortunately there ha? been uo rain to fill this huge reservoir. Mr I. R. Robinson, electrical engineer in charge, told the party that the situation on Wednesday was more acute than on Monday, when he addressed the .supply authorities. In spite of the assistance given by the many fuel plants n the district, it was still necessary for the domestic load and street lighting to be curtailed, so that the important, industries might be kept going. _

Mr T. It. Johnston, engineer m charge of the constructional work, pointed out that the Government had been particularly unfortunate in not striking rain after a rush construction. rhcy had worked day and night and -von on Sundays.