Shortage of Power

Hutt News, Volume 20, Issue 47, 28 May 1947, Page 7

Shortage of Power

PROSPECTS »'° ,; ™ K IMIMtOVKMK.NT lIOPKD l'<>K .-'ti'-.-ikiim ;ii tb<- annual tuertisifc of ihe Hull Valley Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Mr. I R. Robinson, engineer-general manager of the Hutt Valley Electric Power Hoard, said he knew that they all appreciated the difficulties or the Power Hoard and it:, stall. The Board was not to blame for the shortage of power, and could only supply tinpower allocated to ii by lie- Electricity Controller. He considered and lie felt that the meeting agreed

wilh him that the allocation for Lite Hutt Valley was not sufficient. The Board had continued lo force home some pertinent tacts to lite Controller;

La Honing of power was necessary. said Mr. Robinson, but his aim in

making restrictions was to avoid interrupting'the economic life of the community as much as possible, and the cuts had been arranged for Hni.\s when they would do the least damage lo industry. Homes accounted for

most of the consumption of power

anu !>> restricting water healing a considerable saving was effected. T.io Increased load in the Hull Valley was not due to more consumers, bill was coming from present consumers, showing ilml there was increased consumption in the homes. The commercial users were not responsible.

Helavatioii of Restrictions

This winter the position was not worse than last winter, and Mr. Robinson thought that there would be some relaxation of Cue restriction:; as soon as good rains fell in the North Island. The rains should occur at any time, and after that the country should be reasonably well

oil for power for a year or two. However, they would not really be out of the wood until the supply from Maraetal was available, which ho hoped would be in 1951.

Mr. Robinson concluded by saying 'hat I"- did not think the power position would become worse.

RATIONING REDUCED

MORE POWER AVAILABLE

An improvement in the water levels at Taupo and Waikaremoana has resulted in a small increase in the Hutt Valley Electric Power Board's allocation of power, and rationing of electricity has been reduced from two hours to one hour a day.

No concession, however, has been made in the existing water-beating restrictions. Radiator restrictions will remain as at present.