USE OF POWER IN KAIAPOI

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27407, 21 July 1954, Page 8

USE OF POWER IN KAIAPOI

SAVINGS NOT YET SUFFICIENT

In spite of restrictions the Kaiapoi borough is still using 3.28 per cent, more electricity than a year ago the electrical engineer, Mr R. G. Simpson, told the Kaiapoi Borough Council on Monday evening. The borough was not saving enough units as a result of the present cuts, he said, but as it had always had pilot control on space and water heating he did not think all the onus should be thrown on the borough and Rangiora borough to enable the power board to get away free. In the last restriction period consumption had been reduced 10 per cent. To the detriment of the public there had been black-outs. “I agree we should save power but we should not have black-outs,” said Mr Simpson, “and I am not in agreement with cutting water heating to any great extent.” A report of a special meeting of the council’s electricity committee said that the engineer had reported that the had taken action to reduce consumption which should avoid black-outs. The restrictions involved cutting off the street lighting from midnight till 5.30 a.m. and veranda lights were restricted to Friday nights only. Residents were asked to save power where possible. The council decided to advise users of advertising signs who did not comply with restrictions that they would be disconnected if they did not fall into line.