THREAT OF POWER CUTS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25608, 24 September 1948, Page 2

THREAT OF POWER CUTS

HEATING OF BATHS RESTRICTED

APPEAL FOR VOLUNTARY SAVING The municipal swimming pool will be heated on only three days a week. This decision by the Power Emergency Committee in Christohurch yesterday morning is the first of progressive jestrictions which will be applied unless consumers of electricity reduce their demand immediately. The committee authorised the Municipal Electricity Department to impose further cuts if sufficient voluntary response is not made.

Mr E. Hitchcock, general manager of the M.E.D., said after the meeting that further restrictions (if necessary) would be applied ip the reverse order to which they ,«were lifted. Limited heating of the baths had been approved. Next there would be restriction on electric signs and shop-window lighting, followed by shortened hours of street lighting, and limited hours for domestic water-heating. “The committee has authorised these steps if they are necessary; but the required saving can be made by voluntary economies in the use of power. We prefer the latter course,” Mr Hitchcock said. “The publicity committee is arranging for public appeals to save power. Unless consumers respond, cuts will have to be applied.”

On Sunday night Lake Coleridge was only inches above its lowest level last September. The flow in the Waitaki river was now lower than at any time last winter. Springs rains and a general thaw in the high country were needed to improve the water storage position. Last May storage amounted to 90,000,000 units; but now it was only 43,250,000 units, a drop of 4,250,000 units from the previous week. The Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) added his appeal to save power to that of the committee. Unless sufficient voluntary restrictions were made, heavier restrictions than any imposed during the winter might be necessary, he said. Soon after the Power Emergency Committee met. Cr. J. L. Hay (chairman of the publicity committee) broadcast an appeal for restriction to essential use of home lighting and domestic