CUTS DRAW NEARER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22316, 29 April 1947, Page 6

CUTS DRAW NEARER

S. ISLAND- POWER . LAKE LEVELS FALL LOAD REDUCTION EFFORTS (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, April 28. With no improvement in the water supply position at the lakes feeding the Waitaki and Coleridge power stations the prospect of electricity restrictions in Christchurch this winter draws nearer, while steps have already been taken to check the normal winter increase in load. The impression was formed from inquiries this morning that more severe restrictions are likely to be imposed. Up to the present the Municipal Electricity Department has confined its efforts to reduce the load by cutting out street lights after 1 a.m., and by refusing permits for electric radiators except in cases where considerable hardship would result, or where there is no alternative means of heating. The radiator ban has been imposed impartially. Among the rejects in a batch of applications dealt with recently were several from Government departments. It had been planned to instal large capacity space heaters in these offices, but because steam heat was available in the building the departments were refused permits. “Unfortunately,” said the general manager of the Municipal Electricity Department, Mr. E. Hitchcock, “there is a certain amount of black marketing going on in radiators. They are being sold by some retailers and often the purchaser does not know that he is breaking the law by buying without a permit. This sort of thing is destroying the intention of the order—to inflict as little hardship as possible to the advantage of all. If the heater sales were uncontrolled, the load would grow to impossible, bounds, and all would suffer.’* .