Christchurch Threatened By Future Power Shortage

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 175, 27 July 1938, Page 8

Christchurch Threatened By Future Power Shortage

GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY IN THE MATTER Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, July 25. A power shortage in Christchurch appears certain next year, ■with increasing gravity for the winter of 1940.1 The fuel plant, as an auxiliary to tho

I national system of supply, is logically the Government’s responsibility, but if 'the Government will not act the situI ation is sufficiently serious for the city council to act independently. These are two of the conclusions reached by tho general-manager of the municipal electricity department (Mr. E. Hitchcock) in a report submitted to the council on the methods of ensuring an uninterrupted and adequate supply of electric power to the city. With • this report was submitted a report by .the electricity comm it lee, which rei ferred to Mr. Hitchcock’s report ast

1 ‘Somewhat disturbing” and comment- : ed that in examining tho question of a stand-by plant a more disquieting ■ matter had been, revealed in the likelihood of a shortage rather than interruptions of power. After consideration of Mr. Hiteh- , cock’s report, the committee had ' written to the Public Works Department for information on certain matters referred to in this report. Consideration of the report by the council was deferred until a reply had been received from the Public Works Department.