RESTRICTIONS ON POWER

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26123, 27 May 1950, Page 2

RESTRICTIONS ON POWER

Sir.—There is. I believe, in the Christchurch post office a Diesel-oper-

ated generator of some 65-kilowatt capacity. Expensive and difficult to install, such a machine would be able to carry a considerable proportion of peak-loading. During the present power shortage it has not been put into service, although it has operated successfully in the past. At a time when business people are installing stand-by plan Is and the economyminded householder looks to be “in for it.” should not the post office stand-by plant be relieving peak-hour strain on our hydro-electric system? Why not?—Yours, etc.. CUSEC. May 24. 1950.

[“The Diesel-opcratcd generator has been installed so that the department will be able to continue to give 1o the public telegraph, telephone, and toll service in the event of the power supply to the Chief Post Office being restricted or completely interrupted during an emergency breakdown in the public power supply.” said Mr L. O. Tyrrell, regional engineer, Christchurch Chief Post Office, in reply to this letter. “Actually, the installation of this plant is in no way associated with the present power shortage, but is in accordance with departmental policy to provide the means of maintaining telecommunication services throughout the country during any

sort of an emergency. This plant will be used to carry the telecommunications power load during all periods of power restriction, as well as to reduce the department's overall power consumption by more than the percentage demanded by the City Council.”]