RELIEVING THE STRAIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21385, 21 April 1944, Page 4

RELIEVING THE STRAIN

DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY (P.A.) ;, WELLINGTON, April 26. “The consumption of electricity in New Zealand increased by 6 per cent, a year over the.past two years, despite intensive efforts to save it in various ways,” said the, chief electrical engineer of the Public Works Department, Mr F. T. M. Kissel, reviewing the position. During the coming, winter a further increase was anticipated. The department would take measures designed to relieve the strain on the existing services until the contemplated new hydro-electric undertakings were in operation. The. closing down of radio stations for 30 minutes at 5.15 p.m. each day eil’ected an appreciable saving last year and the question of increasing this period was being considered. The use of radiators in office buildings between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. had now been prohibited until the end of September. The department would be launching shortly a campaign to enlist the support of the public in power conservation for the winter. Mr Kissel said that one of the mdst effective saving measures had been the compulsory metering of hot water electrical heaters, particularly in the country districts. Similarly, the compulsory use of thermostats in new water heaters had effected a considerable saving. By an amendment to the Electricity Control Order, 1943, gazetted last night, the period of May to September, during which electric radiators in shops and offices must not be used between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., is extended to include the month of April.