RELAXATION IN POWER CUTS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27439, 27 August 1954, Page 10

RELAXATION IN POWER CUTS

Decision By M.E.D. Committee

DISTRICT WITHIN QUOTA The relaxation of some power restrictions in the Municipal Electricity Department’s area was - announced last evening by the (diairman of the Christchurch City Council’s electricity committee (Cr. G. Manning). The committee decided at its meeting yesterday to cut only one district between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, instead of two; as had been the practice for the last few days. Because the M.E.D. area was within its allocation, by 2.9 per cent, this week, the committee had decided to reduce the cuts, said Cr. Manning. It had also decided to cut off street lighting at 6 a.m. each morning. Because of the large number of visitors expected in Christchurch on Saturday for Canterbury’s Ranfurly Shield Rugby match with Waikato, the committee decided not to include the inner city area in the Saturday evening cut, which for several weeks has been over the entire M.E.D. area. It was felt that there would be many visitors requiring meals before they left Christchurch, and that in such circumstances, restaurants and cafes should not be handicapped.. The General Manager of the State Hydro-electric Department (Mr A. E. Davenport) had instructed the committee that it was still very necessary to keep down consumption until it could be seen that there was no likelihood of another deterioration in the situation, said Cr. Manning.

The water storage figures from the State Hydro-electric Department yesterday bear out Mr Davenport’s warning. At 9 a.m. yesterday the South Island reading was 39,570,000 units—dangerously clcfee to the 32,000,000 units officers of the department have mentioned as the lowest level at which the South Island system can generate to its full capacity. On Wednesday morning, the reading was 39,730,000 units.

Although no rain was reported from the catchment area, officers of the department are hopeful that the northwest weather may bring much-needed relief.