ECONOMIES IN POWER

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28013, 6 July 1956, Page 12

ECONOMIES IN POWER

“QUOTA RATIONING INEFFECTIVE ”

M.E.D. MANAGER’S VIEW

Quota rationing was not an effective curb on power consumption under S< ith Island conditions, said the engineer-manager of the Chnstchurun Municipal Electricity Department (Mi G. H. Battersby) yesterday. “This is because, under our meter reading system, we need two clear months, plus cne week, before the enforcement of penalties, he said That period of two months must fait completely within the period of the restrictions. and emergencies in the South Island did not generally extend over that period. An example of the ineffectiveness of quota rationing occurred this winter when, a few days before the lifting of all restrictions, except that on peak load, the M.E.D. had about 40 «->r 50 consumers on its list for a complete cut in power supply, said Mr Battersby.

"But the lake storage rose, the emergency ended, and we could take, no further action.” he said. "Much the same thing happened in 1951.”

In the South Island, there was limited lake storage, and heavy rainfall in the wet season, said Mr Battersby. When the rivers were in flood, all the water could not be held in the lakes, and in the period ol heavy draw-off, the storage was not sufficient.

"Quota rationing can be effectively applied where the shortage is of long duration —as in the North Island—but South Island conditions do not permit effective rationing by quota,” he said Loss of Revenue It was not practicable for South Island authorities to maintain quota rationing throughout the year, because they would lose revenue over a long period when restrictions were not necessary, said Mr Battersby.

During the period of restrictions this winter, the M.E.D. granted 600 special permits for radiators, and 400 for water heaters, and in every case except those few which were granted on application by telephone, an inspection was made, said Mr Battersby.

Forty-three infringements of the restrictions were detected —most of them during the general inspection and some after special inspections when the department's officers acted on information received.

In 24 cases the explanations ol the consumers were accepted, in 15 cases water-heaters were disconnected, and in four cases all power points were disconnected to prevent the use of radiators.

At the time of the lifting of the restrictions between 40 and 50 cases for a complete cut-off were eithei in hand or being investigated, said Mr Battersby.

"Under the Electricity Contro. Order, consumers’ equipment can be disconnected, or supply refused, only ‘for the purpose of limiting consumption’,” said Mr Battersby.

“The City Solicitor has interpreted this to mean that our department cannot refuse supply or disconneci equipment as a punishment. Accordingly, all action in those 40 or 50 case's was dropped when restrictions were lifted. Equipment which was disconnected is being reconnected again.” Mr Battersby said.