North Power Supply Cut This Morning

Northern Advocate, 15 March 1947, Page 5

North Power Supply Cut This Morning

FOR a few minutes just before 11 a.m. today the whole of Northland, with the exception of part of Whangarei, was without power. The Government line switch at Henderson was opened, cutting off completely the supply to the North Auckland and Bay of Islands Power Boards’ areas. No reason for the cessation of the service was given

After a short interval the boards are working on reduced

service was restored, but both allocations.

Cuts are also operating in rotation in the North Auckland board's area. The board was notified this morning to reduce to 25 per cent its allocation which had already been cut by 10 per cent. WHANGAREI POSITION With the suspension of the industrial load, most heavy users observing the Saturday holiday, it seemed that drastic measures would not have to be taken. The cessation of the Government supply, however, threw an extra loading on Portland which was already taxed because of a heavy draw-off by domestic users,. Apparently most Whangarei householders cooked dinners this morning in fear that the power might be cut off later in the day and this resulted in a, heavy demand. When Portland could not cope with the extra load imposed by the Government supply being cut, it was necessary to cut out all Whangarei supplies with the exception of three industrial areas. As the Government supply was restored more power became available through Portland and power was again delivered to the cut-off areas, Kensington being the last. It is believed that the load is being kept at a minimum during this weekend to allow the water level at Arapuni to increase so that more water will be available for generating on Monday. In the Bay of Islands area the six feeder systems are being switched off in turn for an hour to keep the load within the reduced allocation. HEAVY AUCKLAND CUTS Heavy cuts were made in Auckland last night when the Auckland and Waitemata Power Boards were instructed to reduce their loads 30 per cent, below their allocations between 7 and 10 o'clock. The boards followed this instruction by cutting their feeders for half an hour at a time in rotation. All boards were previously required ;to reduce their loads to at least 10 per cent, below their allocation, thus doubling 'the general restrictions placed upon them on Thursday. Half-hourly cuts will be imposed during the week-end in the Auckland and Waitemata boards’ areas. A far more severe schedule will come into force on Monday in the Auckland board’s district, when all residential and some semi-industrial areas will be cut off for one hour in every six, or four times a day in rotation. It was stated last night that this in itself would not result in the 30 per cent, reduction unless voluntary savings were made as well by the consumers. SOUTH ISLAND SCHEME A hydrp-electric development scheme for the Nelson and Marlborough districts, estimated to cost about £2,000,000, has been aproved by the Cabinet. The erection of a dam at the Cobb hydro-electric station is to be commenced immediately. The proposals are also understood to include the provision of further generating plant at the Cobb station. It is believed that the estimates also provide for linking Westport with the South Island system.