POWER SITUATION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 236, 18 July 1947, Page 4

POWER SITUATION

Concessions from Monday (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. As from Monday, South Island electric supply authorities will work on reductions of 10 per cent, in the demand, the concession of 10 per cent, having been given by the. State Hydro-Electric Department. Making this announcement, the acting-district engineer of the Department (Mr E. E. James) said that local supply authorities would he advised of the Relaxation to-day by telegram from Wellington. The authorities are at present working on a saving of 20 per cent., this figure having been in force since June 24, when the cut was reduced from 30 per cent, —the basis on which cuts had operated since the first week in June. Improved hydraulic conditions at South Island generating stations have made the concessions possible. Coleridge, Waitaki, Waipori, and Monowai are all better off now that they were a month ago. fa ASHBURTON’S POSITION DOMESTIC CUTS END SUNDAY According to an announcement this afternoon by Mr H. G. Kemp. • engineer-secretary to the Ashburton Electric Power Board, it is proposed, as from Sunday night, to dispense with the present domestic cuts and to rely on voluntary savings to keep within the 10 per cent, quota. Restrictions will continue, however, on the use of street and shop lighting, signs and commercial heating. “To keep within the quota of 10 per cent,” pointed out Mr Kemp, “voluntary savings are essential, as units normally used during the hours of the cut will absorb most of the increased allocation and leave few units for additional use at other hours. It is suggested that users of storage ranges can contribute materially to savings by switching off their ranges for two hours during the evening.”.