Power Restrictions From Monday: 10% Reduction

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23218, 1 April 1950, Page 6

Power Restrictions From Monday: 10% Reduction

GISBORNE BOARD ACTS

THE ordering of a reduction of 10 per cent in the use 1 of electricity by all consumers, a reduction of monthly quotas which have been allotted by one unit for every 10 units of the quota, and a reduction by 10 per cent in the supply to hospitals and primary producers not subject to a quota restriction were decided on by the P.B. ElectricPower Board yesterday in an effort to meet the present national supply difficulties brought by the absence of rainfall in the lake areas and a lowering of the levels.

In accordance with directions of the general manager of the State Hydro-Electric Department, Mr. A. E. Davenport, the board decided to impose the restrictions as from Monday.

The use of electric radiators between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on any day of the week except Sundays during the months of April to September inclusive arc prohibited from Monday, the ban applying to occupiers of shops, offices, factories, warehouses and other business premises, public and private hotels and boarding houses, hails, theatres and other places of amusement, premises occupied by any branch of the Armed Forces and Government departments. The managing-secretary. Mr. R. P. Baigent. commented that the latest advice had given the board an increased allocation for the year from April 1 — of five per cent. The increase was on last year’s allocation, not consumption, he pointed out. It would be recalled, said Mr. Baigent, that for some years, the board had made representations to the State Hydro-Electric Dpeartment contending that its quotas were not as large as the board was entitled to. Those representations had borne fruit, he said. The basic allocations granted to boards were worked out on the following factors: “Population increase, domestic and commercial consumption, the bih.p. of motors, the number of ranges and water-heaters, new dwellings and the total connected load. The final amount of the allocation took into account each of those factors.

Mr. Baigent considered that the board had received fair treatment as far as the new allocation was concerned. Most boards had recieved small variations in their yearly allocations, while there had been some reductions. Only very few boards had received increases of any consequence. One board had had its allocation reduced from 4 per cent, to 1.8 per cent.

Mr. Baigent considered the board’s case for an increased allocation had been substantially answered by the granting of the increase. The managing-secretary, in referring to a telegram received from the manager and the State Hydro-Electric Department asking for a reduction to 90 per cent, of the allocation from Monday due to a lack of rainfall in the lake areas and falling lake levels, said thA gave the board no option but to take some action. In the new allocation the maximum weekly amount given was 640,650 units • permissible for only one week in the year. He had compared the maximum weekly amount with that used for the week ended March 19 and found that week’s usage to be only SO.OCO units within the maximum allowed in the winter.

“It is obvious,” continued Mr. Baigent, “that consumers in the district are using more electricity than we can afford to give them and steps to reduce its use are urgently needed.” He suggested that all consumers be asked for a 10 per cent reduction until further advice as to the national position was received from the Dominion controller. “To meet the requirements of the Dominion controller entails a reduction of almost 121 per cent, but if we can get the support of everyone I hope that we will be able to get through,” Mr. Baigent told the board. .He said that the imposition of restrictions on consumers without quotas presented some difficulty, but as soon as it was possible the quotas would be placed on their electricity accounts. Of course, all consumers would have the right of appeal, but trivial appeals would not receive much consideration. The board was short of staff. If the appeals invplved hardship then they would be fully considered. Future Outlook He realised that the reduction would be difficult in regard to shearing, erutching and other seasonal \york, but the board could “cross the bridge” when •the season came. “Consumers will have to understand that from now on in respect of the purchase of new additional appliances of any sort they will not be able to expece a full quota of units for them,” Mr. Baigent continued. “I do not think that it will be possible to cater fully for them, but an endeavour will be made to give a reasonable supply. However, they will have to endeavour to make up their new needs fom the present quotas to a certain extent.” Discussing the possible further outlook. Mr. Baigent said he had added to the allocation of the past few weeks the new increased allocation of 5 per cent from April 1. For the first week an increase of 3118 units was indicated, for the second week an increase of 16,700 units, for the fourth week an increase of 20,000 units and for the fifth week a decrease of 4000 units. The usage in the weeks of March had been put against the allocation to be received in 12 months’ time. Co-operation Essential The board might find itself in a position next year of not being able to give enough units to operate new appliances' Mr. Baigent appealed to consumers to avoid wastage until the cut was restored. The present requirement could only be met by the utmost co-operation of consumers.

To a question from a board member, Mr Baigent said that dairy farmers were not on quotas. Other boards had placed them on quotas. A cut of 5 per cent on consumption was still operating as far as domestic consumers in this district was concerned. They were worse off than business houses which, however, were still on a restricted service. Primary producers were not operating on quotas. Mr. Baigent said that as a result of the board's rationing scheme there were savings made. Appellants had claimed strongly that there had ,-een no wastage, but that was not oorne out from the results of the rationing scheme. Statistics in relation td* the allocation and the consumption over the past month were given by the managing-

secretary as follows: New Alloc.

The board adopted the restrictions proposed by. the managing secretary on the motion of the chairman, Mr. F. R. Ball. The restrictions up to the present time had been due to lack of plant, he said. If the time arrived when there was a plentiful supply of water probably the latest restriction would be eased. However, the position was beyond the control of the board.

Week Present Applying ended Alloc. Used Next Year Feb. 26 553,230 584,658 580,840 (i) Mar. 5 535,520 575,800 583,290 (2) Mar. 12 557,800 601,888 585,190 (3) Mar. 19 560,090 608,098 588,090 (1) Mar. 26 578.8i 0 603,490 607,750 (3) (1) Excess , 3818 I units. (2) Decrease 7490 units. (3) Excess 16,698 units. i 4) Excess 20.008 units. (5) Decrease 4260 units.