Stagger Board Supplies

Northern Advocate, 14 March 1947, Page 5

Stagger Board Supplies

The engineer of the North Auckland Power Board (Mr T. R. Overton) said that cuts were being made throughout the board’s area but they were being staggered so that the interruptions would not fall on one section. Endeavours were being made to maintain the supply to the dairy factories and coal mines.

Mr Overton requested that all domestic users should cut off their water hearters and that use of heaters in dairy sheds should also be discontinued wherever possible. The resident engineer of the Bay of Islands Power Board (Mr R. R. Clarkson) said that to meet the position in the board’s district cuts in supply were being staggered, irrespective

of whether essential services were included. This was unfortunate but the board had no option and had to reduce loading by the best means it could devise. Consumers could be warned that more drastic cuts were likely unless the demand was reduced. They did not realise that if the generators at Arapuni were damaged by overloading, they were going to be in a worse position than having occasional cuts. At the present rate of consumption, I the little water storage that remains in [ the North Island will be completely, ! exhausted in 30 days, after which the; | supply of electric power will have to ! be cut by half. [ This was stated this afternoon by the Minister of Works (Mr Semple) .who emphasised the gravity of the position. “This condition cannot be allowed to happen and it is therefore essential that the load be reduced by at least 30 per cent., day and night, seven days a week,” he said.