Ban On Electrical Signs; Appeal To All Users

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30534, 1 September 1964, Page 1

Ban On Electrical Signs; Appeal To All Users

All illuminated signs and outside night display signs of all kinds would be discontinued immediately, the City Council’s electricity committee decided yesterday when it met to consider a request from the New Zealand Electricity Department for more power savings.

In a letter to South Island supply authorities, the department said the response to the appeal for voluntary reduction in unit consumption had been ■extremely disappointing. Unless consumers co-operated more fully, compulsory rationing would be inevitable, as there would be insufficient water for daily requirements. Unless its suggestions met with a satisfactory response it was almost certain that there. would be instructions for drastic power cuts, the committee said. Its suggestions were:— Domestic Consumers An appeal was made to all householders to reduce the use of electrically-heated hot water and electric radiators to a minimum and to switch off all unnecessary lights. Where alternative means of heating such as gas, kerosene, or open fireplaces existed, they should be used instead of electricity. “There are about 60,000 ripple-controlled water heaters in use on the Municipal

Electricity Department’s system,” the committee said. “A compulsory shutdown of these for 24 hours would seriously inconvenience most domestic consumers, but this could be the inevitable consequence of failure to meet the required level of saving by all sections of the community.” Commercial Consumers The committee asked all commercial users to Switch off all unnecessary heating and lighting, including display lighting, during business hours, and in addition to cut out all under-veranda lighting and all night lighting except inside lights necessary for security purposes. Industrial Consumers A strong request was made to reduce the use of heaters and lights to a minimum and to switch off all motors not actually in use. Al! display lighting should be shut off, except where it was necessary for security. Floodlighting The committee said the M.E.D. has discontinued

floodlighting where possible and display lighting wherever it was not necessary for security purposes. Street lights were being switched off as early as possible, consistent with safety, the committee said. “If all sections of the Corn-

munitv make a positive effort to reduce power to a minimum, the reduction of 10 per cent asked for by the New Zealand Electricity Department will be achieved.” the committee said. “It cannot be emphasised too strongly that compulsory cuts will be inevitable within the next few days unless the instructions are adhered to strictly."

Gesture By Company The time and temperature clock operated by Beath and Company, Ltd., at the corner of Colombo street and Cashel street was switched off shortly before 2.30 p.m. yesterday by the company. The general manager of the company (Mr C. D. Ogilvie) said yesterday that he decided to take this step not only because of the high electricity consumption of the clock but because he hoped that its blank face during the present power shortage would remind the public of the problem to be faced. Mr Ogilvie said that it cost the company £3O a week to rent, the equipment. This charge would continue even when the clock was not being used. The only saving to the company would be £3O a month for electricity.