STILL HIGHER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21978, 23 March 1946, Page 6

STILL HIGHER

USE OF ELECTRICITY LAKES WELL DOWN APPEAL FOR ECONOMY (P.A.) WELLINGTON. March 22. "Despite appeals which have been made for economy in the use of electricity, the generation is still higher than last year’s and previous years, said the Minister of Works, Mr. R. Semple, to-day. “The drought conditions which have been applying since December last at Taupo and Waikaremoana are persisting, and to-day the levels of the lakes are lower than they have been for more than 20 years. “Waikaremoana, in fact, is over 6ft lower than i.t was last year and almost 19ft lower than in 1944 at this date. “At Taupo, despite every effort to conserve storage, practically none is now left and we are now practically dependent on the average river flow only to generate power a.t Arapuni.” Mr. Semple emphasised the need for still more co-operation on the part of every consumer in the North Island to avoid all unnecessary use of electricity. “All lighting not absolutely essential,” said Mr. Semple, “should be switched off. Electric wa.ter-heating systems also should be switched off from time to .time throughout the day and electric radiators used to the least possible extent. “If economies are not made under the present conditions there can be no alternative but to continue the rationing of power by compulsory means.” Mr. Semple said that no relief to the present situation was'possible until the long spell of dry weather broke in the centre part of the North Island. “Every possible means of supplementing our present generating capacity has been examined,” he said, “and in particular the use of Diesel-engine driven generators. There would be, however, no chance under the present conditions of getting delivery of such plant for from two to three years.”