THE POWER SHORTAGE

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27988, 7 June 1956, Page 18

THE POWER SHORTAGE

Sir,—l would like to ask the appropriate authorities through your columns the amount of power consumed by Wigram Air Force Station each two months and the cost. I understand that Wigram has ample stand-by plants, but uses them only . when the power is cut off in that area; also that electric water heaters of some 50 gallons are fitted, but are never turned off.—Yours, etc., P.S. May 24, 1956. * [Croup Captain F. R. Dix, commanding officer of the Wigram station, replied as follows to this letter: “The amount of power used by Wigram. a major defence installation, is a security matter and not for publication in the press. Your correspondent may wish, however, to address his query on this matter to the ' Air Department. Standby plants are used at Wigram for the purpose for which they were intended—to supply power to run navigation and signals equipment during emergencies. This is a question of safety of aircraft and men

in the air. Wigram has meticulously observed all cuts imposed oy the Snrings-Ellesmere Power Board. Airnftn and airwomen in barracks have been without hot water during the same periods as civilians. ’ There are no 50-gallon water-heaters which are never turned off. Wigram has achieved more than a 40 per cent, cut in its normal usage of power.”]

Sir,—ln Saturday’s issue I note that the Saturday afternoon power cut in the Rangiora borough has been reduced by one hour so that, instead of being cut from 1 p,m. to 4 p.m., it is now to be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., because the council “felt that, if possible. residents of the borough should be given the opportunity of listening to sports radio broadcasts.” As we in North Canterbury are equally interested in listening to sports broadcasts and feel that we have every right to the same consideration, am I correct in presuming that we also will be afforded a similar opportunity? We in North Canterbury "have more than our fair share of power cuts, and I trust that “this step to meet the wishes of a great many persons,” to quote the council further, may also be extended to us.—Yours, etc.,

w . „ EQUALITY. WaiaUf May 31, 1956. pleased to confirm that in future Saturday afternoon power cuts in this board’s district wiU be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.,” said the engineersecretary of the North Canterbury Electric Power Board (Mr A. Buckingham) when this letter was referred to him.]

Sir, —It should be possible and safe to ease the restrictions still further. Even if all flow to the lakes stopped now, there would be sufficient water stored to carry us through until Roxburgh starts up. Much more water will flow into the lakes before then, which, with Roxburgh, will give us a surplus. We. are in a much sounder position than we were 12 months ago. It is about time State Hydro-electric Department officials treated South Islanders as grown-ups and not child* ren. Commission control is the answer. —Yours, etc., x HAD IT. June 5, 1956.