NO SHORTAGE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 195, 31 May 1945, Page 2

NO SHORTAGE

POWER IN SOUTH ISLAND. POSITION BAD IN NORTH. (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. There is no shortage of power in the South Island this winter and no prospect of one, according to the Chief Electrical Engineer of the Public Works Department (Mr F. T. M. Kissell). Mr Kissell said that the lakes were comparatively full and that the season had been a good one from that point of view 7 . Mr Kissell added that the position would be still better when the Higlibank station was ready for operation. The plant had been running for a time on trial, and adjustments were now 7 being made. It would probably be ready for another trial next week. The plant had not yet been handed over to the department. A message from Auckland states that the most drastic reduction in the supply of electricity yet imposed w 7 ill commence to-day, when a 10 per cent, cut in load will be made over the 16-hour period from 6 a.in. to 10 p.m. A similar reduction ,w 7 ill operate to-morrow, while on Saturday there will be a 5 per cent. cut. Supply authorities have urged consumers to exercise the maximum possible economy in order to avoid, as far as possible, the, necessity for disconnecting supply areas. The general manager of the Auckland Electric Power Board (Mr R. H. Bartley) said that he would urge all consumers, industrial and domestic, to realise the seriousness of the position, and to assist in meeting it by economising on power to at least the extent of the shortage. If a saving of 10 per cent, could be made in that way it should be possible to avoid an interruption in supply, except perhaps during the peak loading period in the evening. Suggestion By Farmers. A decision to send a telegram to the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), urging that before reductions are made in electricity supplies, broadcasting hours should be drastically reduced, w 7 as made unanimously at the interprovincial conference of the Farmers’ Union, representing the areas between Wanganui and Wellington. Speakers ■ instanced the hardship that would be imposed on dairy farmers if milking hours w r ere reduced. All factories and workshops in the Hutt Valley Power Board area .have been notified that they must cease using electric power at 5 p.m. to-mor-row and on Friday, in addition to a 10 per cent, economy cut throughout working hours.