POWER SAVING

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27917, 14 March 1956, Page 12

POWER SAVING

Central Area Cut Yesterday MANY FACTORIES AFFECTED For an hour between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. yesterday, only pumping stations, hospitals, and those industries dependent on continuous electrically generated heat were supplied with power in the central area of Christchurch. All other industries which did not have the use of stand-by equipment, were idle. The State Hydro-electric Department yesterday reported a slight improvement in power savings. For the previous 24 hours storage in the South Island lakes fell by 920.000 units—the lowest figure recorded since the recent restrictions were imposed. Lake storage now stands at 27 ( ,550,000 units. “That is an improvement, but not nearly enough,” said Mr E. E. James, assistant district engineer to the department. “We are, however, moving in the right direction.” The Lyttelton Harbour Board yesterday imposed restrictions on the use of power at the harbour, in an endeavour to meet the demand of the State Hydro-electric Department for a 20 per cent, consumption reduction. Early in the day discussions were held between port employers and the board, and it was announced in the afternqiih by the board’s secretarymanager (Mr A. L. Burk) that the shore Supply of power to ships in ports would be discontinued. He explained that certain ships used power from the shore while they were berthed at Lyttelton and others used their generators. The restriction would mean that all would now have to generate their own power while in the harbour. It was expected that the curtailment of shore power to ships would meet the 20 per cent, reduction so that the working of electricallydriven cranes and other electrical port equipment would not be affected. Lyttelton Restrictions The Lyttelton Borough Council announced its first power restrictions yesterday. They will come into effect immediately. Neon advertising signs are prohibited, street lights will be switched off from midnight, shop and veranda lighting is banned except on Friday evenings, and water heater hours must be reduced. The Rangiofa Borough Council is not yet satisfied with savings made in the borough and to reduce consumption further has imposed another two hour cut to operate between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each Saturday. The Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association is conducting a survey to ascertain if cuts affecting members would not be more suitable between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Such cuts would prevent interruption to a reduced working day, said the secretary (Mr R. T. Alston) yesterday. Savings of more than 20 per cent, had been made by manufacturers observing their own power rationing scheme, said Mr Alston. This was shown in returns on nower saving completed by members The association intended to have **;rther discussions with the chairman of the Citv Council’s electricity committee (Cr. G. Manning), offering all assistance to encourage power savings.