NORTH ISLAND POWER

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23414, 22 August 1941, Page 6

NORTH ISLAND POWER

STILL NEED FOR ECONOMY

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 21. Although the North Island has passed the period of highest demand for electric power, there is still need for economy in its use. This was the conclusion reached by the Minister for Public Works (the Hon.' H. T. Armstrong) and the Minister for Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) in a general survey of the position. The Ministers are also of opinion that with the continued co-operation of supply authorities and consumers, it should be possible to go through the coming summer and the following winter without the need for drastic restrictions or reductions.

There are still a number of important new industries to which a supply of electricity must be given. New 1 houses, where no other means of heating, lighting, and cooking is available, must also be connected up, and there will be increased use of electricity for heating in cowsheds, due to the change-over from butter to cheese. For next winter it is anticipated that the position will be somewhat the same as during this winter. There will be a, small increase in load; but it is anticipated that more water will be available at Arapuni. The works at Taupo are nearly completed, and it is now possible to commence the storage in Lake Taupo.