POWER SAVING

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26855, 7 October 1952, Page 8

POWER SAVING

M.E.D. OVER ALLOCATION LAST WEEK

After encouraging returns a fortnight ago, power saving last week was “not very satisfactory,” the Municipal Electricity Department being 3.8 per cent, above its allocation, Cr. G. Manning, chairman of the electricity committee, told the City Council last evening.

The end of last week showed poor returns, the percentages above allocation being 5.4 on Friday, 7 on Saturday, and 5.9 on Sunday. Cr. Manning said he could not account for the heavy consumption on Saturday, when factories were closed. “We’ve got to have a bath one night a week, even with power cuts,” said the Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.).

Cr. Manning said that less use of open fires in the warmer weather probably meant greater use of electric water heaters.

Total storage yesterday morning was 37,940,000 units, with none in Lake Tekapo and only 200,000 units in Lake Pukaki. Unless savings or storage improved further cuts might be necessary, Cr. Manning said. At the Power Supply Authorities’ Association conference, Cr. Manning said the Minister of Works (Mr W. S. Goosman), answering his question, said/ no Government investigation was being made of the potentialities for power of the Hurunui and Waiau rivers To another South Island delegate he said that no immediate development was planned at Point on the Waitaki river. Mr Goosman claimed that when Roxburgh came into operation “the South Island would be out of the wood.”

“But we’ll be in the cart before then, said the Mayor. _ in the dark anyway,” said Cr. M. B. Howard, M.P.

BOTH ISLANDS EXCEED ALLOCATION

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 6. Hydro-electric power supply authoriexeeert J h tt. Orth v. nd Soutd Islan ds exceeded their weekly unit allocations last week, the North Island by 8.1 per cent * and the S ° Uth Island 5 3 P cr