Rain, Coal Needed To Ease Power Position

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1947, Page 5

Rain, Coal Needed To Ease Power Position

UNLESS heavy rain falls over the North Island and coal supplies improve, the power situation will not get better. The Electricity Controller (Mr F. T. M. Kissel) 'said this yesterday. He added that even when the water and fuel shortage was overcome some restrictions would have to remain.

One unit at Arapuni could not be used owing to the lack of water. An oil burning unit at Evans Bay, Wellington, was out of order. All other plant was producing, he said.

end, and he expected further matters affecting the electric-power crisis to be brought before him this morning.

Unless more effective official action or a definite pronouncement from the Government was forthcoming, he in j tended to ask local members of Parliament to meet him with a view to obtaining more equitable treatment for Auckland. “I am gravely concerned about the periods of complete cut-off, particularly without warning, because the results can be dangerous to persons and property," said Mr Allum. "Reductions in voltage can also be damaging to apparatus. At present 1 the people are completely bewildered, because they have not been told exactly what is expected of them. In the lirst place they are exhorted to economise and then the power is shut off. Auckland’s Monday morning hangover was darkened today with the prospects of reduced electric power and at least for this afternoon, no gas. “Let there be light” is the latest most popular catchphrase with .the addendum that Kilroy was here, but couldn’t see his way to stay. Most cheesed off section of this city's population are picture theatres proprietors. Various Saturday night screenings were interrupted by power cut-offs and at one show, a thrilling climatic moment was blacked out to the accompaniment of disappointed sighs. One of the most important navigation lights in Auckland, harbour, the Bean Rock lighthouse, is affected by the power cuts and the harbourmaster (Captain Beswick) is> going to have something to say about that today. An urgent meeting of the -Auckland Manufacturers’ Association is -to be held today to consider the power position. Today’s darkest hour was the realisation that there would be no gas for anyone, not even ] industry, this afternoon because of staff shortages ;and other difficulties. Meanwhile candles are harder to get than Uranium here. WAITEMATA STEPS The latest measures by the Waitemata Fower Board to keep within the load controller’s requirements- include the complete cutting off of all water heaters from 11 a.uj, to 1 p.m. A reduction in voltage by 2 per cent, also appears probable. No further permits for new extensions or installations stoves andother energy-using applicances will be issued by the board. A report that a serious fissure has developed in country adjacent to the Karapiro dam was referred to Mr Kissel. who declared that he had no .knowledge of anything of the Kind having occurred.

The prospects for this week are very gloomy. Lakes Taupo and Wnikaremoana continue to fall, the level at Taupo yesterday being 1174.55 ft., a drop over the week-end of about 2tn. YVAIRUA OUTPUT DOWN Five hundred kilowatts, only onesixth of the total of 3000 which could be generated, are being produced at the Wairua Falls power house. During the drought last year the station's production was down as low as 150 kilowatts, but about the middle of April production began to increase. In Whangarei both picture theatres have cut down on lighting to conserve power. The Regent is working on an emergency system which uses only 100-candlepower lights in the foyer one-tenth of the normal -power consumption. One-eighth of the normal power is being used at the plaza. N.A. HOARD CUTcj The power position had deteriorated, said the North Auckland Power Board's engineer (Mr T. R. Overton). A systematic control of cut-offs would be put into operation, however. Unless further emergencies arise, the following disconnections will be made in the board’s area during the next two days: 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Ararua, Marohemo, Waipu, Ruakaka, Turiwiri, Arapohue, pari of Dargaville, Hukerenui, Whatitiri, Mangakahia Valley, Puma, Maungakaramea. Oaklcigh, Onerahi, Whangarei Heads, Kiripaka. 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Maungaturoto. Kaiwaka, Mangawai, Ruawai, Te Kopuru, Pukehuia, Waihue, Avoca, Kiripuni Valley, and part of Dargaville. These cuts will be subject to any further emergency restrictions which the State Hydro-Electric Department may find necessary to impose if the power position grows more critical. RATIONING SYSTEM "The way to deal with the present difficulty is for the State HydroElectric Department to devise a system of rationing and to set a penal rate for electric-power used above a certain amount. "Under such a system consumers who exceeded the ration for two consecutive given periods would be disconnected for the third period. "By that means consumers would know how much power they could use and would know that they did not have to face the possibility of thensupply being suddenly disconnected without warning.

"If there is no power at present to institute a rationing system for elec-tric-power, the Government should provide it to help to meet the emergency.’’ It was useless and unfair to berate the public over the crisis, and it was useless to say what should have been done and what could have been done. Mr Allum continued. "It was time for the department to work out a definite plan for saving power and to advise the public what it was. Tiie consumers were entitled to that knowledge. Mr Allum said that the present system of cutting off the supply for short periods merely made housewives alter their habits. They did not save electricity because the supply was disconnected at their usual cooking period. They simply changed the time at which they cooked. NEED DEFINIITE PLAN

The need for the State Hydro-Elec-tric Department to form a definite plan for the proper conservation of water for power purposes, and to tell the public exactly what was expected of it, instead of confusing the people by a day-to-day policy of “cutoffs” of electricity was emphasised by the Mayor of Auckland (Mr J. A. C. Allum) last night.

Mr Allum said he had received several representations during the week-