POWER CUTS AVERTED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 144, 31 March 1948, Page 2

POWER CUTS AVERTED

Benefit From Rain in Week-end

FALL IN SOUTH ISLAND CATCHMENT AREAS

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 20. ’ Widespread rain in the catchment areas during the last week has saved the South Island from a reduction in its electric power allocation. “Had it not rained in the South Island recently some measure of rationing probably would have been necessary now," said an engineer of the State Hydro-electric Department tonight.

He was commenting on the decision of the Electricity Controller to make an immediate reduction of another 10 per cent, on all allocations to North Island electric power supply authorities. This decision, which was anpounced this afternoon by the Minister in charge of the department (the Hon. R. Semple), means that the North Island will now have to operate at 15 per cent, below the normal allocation, a 5 per cent, cut having been made some time ago.

“The recent rain has been a happy event for the South Island and in the meantime we are able to postpone any cuts there,’’ said the department’s engineer. “However, the position is under review constantly and, although storage in the South Island is still comparatively good, power authorities and consumers are asked to be careful. We cannot say anything about the possibilities of cuts in the South Island until conditions there become settled and the effects of the weather on the storage position- are certain.” Referring to the reduction in the North Island power allocation Mr Semple said that so far all appeals for a smaller consumption of power had met with a poor response and that over the Easter period the position had not shown any improvement whatsoever. The tropical storm which occurred during the week-end missed both the Waikaremoana and Taupo watersheds. In the circumstances there was no option but to call for a sharp reduction in the amount of power being consumed in the North Island. He hoped that consumers would do their best in an effort to prevent the position from deteriorating further.