QUOTA REVISION LIKELY IN GISBORNE DISTRICT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23217, 31 March 1950, Page 6

QUOTA REVISION LIKELY IN GISBORNE DISTRICT

Power Shortage

A general revision of the basis of individual consumer quotas of power is likely to result from the demand of the State Hydro-Electric Department on the P.B. ElectricPower Board, with other supply authorities, for an immediate reduction of consumption.

The board is meeting today and, among the most urgent business to be considered will be the method by which compliance can be given with the department's requirements. It is widely known that during recent weeks consumption in the board's district has exceeded the allocation by margins ranging up to 7 or 8 per cent, and those in touch with the situation, both as regards the load in this district and the North Island general power position, have been expecting some form of compulsory restriction to be applied. When inquiries were made of the managing-secretary of the P.B. ElectricPower Board. Mr. R. P. Baigent. yesterday, he stated that the imminence of the board meeting justified him in withholding comment until board members had had the opportunity to discuss the new direction from the department. He added, however, that a fairly drastic tightening-up of control was indicated. and that this might be reflected in a cut in individual consumers' quotas. The P.B. board's standby plant has operating since last Monday at the request of the State Hyro-Electric Department, and contributing its small output to the North Island power pool.