WAITEMATA SUPPLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20598, 24 June 1930, Page 10

WAITEMATA SUPPLY.

GOOD SERVICE ASSURED.

THE NEED OF ECONOMY. GOVERNMENT AID URGED* An indication of how tho closing of the Arapuni station would affect the position in the Waitemata Electric-Power Board's area was given in a report by the chairman, Mr. G. Trevithick, at a meeting of the board yesterday. Mr. Trevithick said is was the responsibility of tho Government to provide additional power, and stressed tho need of a conference botween power board . officials and the Public Works Department to discuss future supplies. "With the closing of the Arapuni elec-tric-power system for an indefinite period i tho board can now safely presume the effect on its activities of a restricted supply of current from reservo sources," said Mr. Trovithick. "Beyond any doubt tho board's financial position will be affected somewhat during the next two years, but until tho half-yearly figures are available early in October no definite indications can be given as to the actual effect of the cuz - - tailment of supply on the estimated revenue. The estimates were framed under a different set of conditions from those which confront the board to-day. The total of 1880kw. (being one-seventh reduction of the board's maximum load in May) allocated for immediate supply, can, on official information, be taken as the minimum supply from the Public Works Department. Peak-loading Economy. "With somo diversity between the loads of the other boards, and a further probablo allocation when Horahora is again fully functioning, tho board can look forward during tho next nine months to giving consumers a fairly reliable and continuous service without any serious restrictions or hardships. Tho whole position can bo materially improved by the loyal co-operation and support of all the board's consumers, who should be careful in the use of electricity of all kinds during the evening peak hours, that is, between 4.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. One can only presuppose the board will, by occasional appeals, obtain that help, in which case the board's policy of giving effect to all application!! for new connections during the next six months need not bo disturbed or reviewed at this juncture. "It is more important that connections should increase continuously (with minor restrictions during the next three months) than that a postponement of new connections should now take place. Present consumers are practically assured of a satisfactory service during tho six summer months. When normal conditions again prevail tho board will have some deficiency in revenue to make up, and that can only be done by present and new consumers then using arid being encouraged to use an abundance of electricity for all purposes. Appeal to Government.

"It is the urgent duty of the Government to provide additional power at the earliest possible moment and to give relief to the situation that must arise next winter. When the Minister of Public Works issues an authoritativo statement, giving power boards the facts as affecting the Arapuni situation, the chairman and executive officers of the power boards drawing supply from tho Waikato electricpower system should meet in urgent conference at Hamilton to discuss future supply matters with responsible officers of tho Public Works Department. Any conference held before the Minister makes a definite statement will be of little or no use. Representations should also be made at that conference by the combined boards to tho Minister to have tho legislative clauses providing for compulsory depreciation suspended until 12 months after normal supply conditions again obtain. This is most important, and no doubt the board will obtain Government relief in this direction if tho matter is pressed. "Meanwhile the board can face tho position to-day with a more marked degree of equanimity than when first advice of the stoppago was received. It can assuro its consumers that with reasonable care a fairly good service will be given by the board's distribution system." After discussion in committee tho report was adopted, the chairman being authorised to call a meeting of the board when an authoritative statement was made by tho Minister of Public Works. Minor Interruptions. Tho engineer, Mr. F. J. H. Wilson, stated in a report that since Arapuni had closed the. supply, with tho exception of one interruption of an hour's duration duo to line trouble between Penrose and Henderson, had been maintained. Tho chairman said that during a peak period on a. recent Friday evening the board had to closo its feeders at Henderson and Albany for a short period. Tho delay was duo to Hamilton exceeding its allocation of power. As a result the Government plant was overloader 1 and the board's consumers were the vicrims. Mr. Wilson said tho interruption showed tho necessity for economy during peak hours. Mr. S. E. Kcnnings said all tho boards should co-operate in securing economy. Mr. J. Mackio suggested that tho stroet lights on the North Shoro might bo lighted later in tho evenings or cut off. Mr. Wilson said the additional economies, if necessary, might bo effected in other ways. The chairman said it was too early to be pessimistic about the Arapuni situation. Tho recent interruption was a lesson, and tho board would probably bo asked to economiso further.