POWER RATION IN AUCKLAND MEANS 10 PER CENT CUT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22825, 21 December 1948, Page 8

POWER RATION IN AUCKLAND MEANS 10 PER CENT CUT

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, Dec. 21. Domestic and commercial power users in the Auckland Electric Power Board’s district will be required to reduce their consumption by 10 per cent during the year ending December 31, 1949. This is the result of the rationing scheme fixed on a quota basis which was adopted by the board at a meeting yesterday on recommendations submitted by the public relations and power supply committee. Major restrictions on the extension of supply to new consumers and the installation of new electrical equipment have also been imposed and only limited use is to be made of community lights and electric signs. Consumers can lodge written appeals against their allowances within 14 days of receiving notification of their quota. Penalties for breaches of the quota system are to be rigidly enforced.

For domestic users a basic quota for the year will be fixed to provide for a 10 per cent reduction on their consumption for 1944 or 1948, whichever is the greater. The board will take regard of obvious fluctuations during these periods, so that extravagant consumption will not be permitted. The basic ‘quota for all commercial and industrial consumers during the year will be fixed on a 10 per cent reduction in the recorded consumption for 1948.

A total prohibition on the installation of new electric water heaters, both foi domestic and commercial use, was being considered by the State Hydro-Electric Department in Wellington, said the chairman of the board. Mr. C. J. Lovegrove, before the board adopted its new quota system.

Members expressed concern that the board had to limit new business and had to put the brake on the development of the city and province.