SUPPLY IN AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21153, 9 April 1932, Page 12

SUPPLY IN AUCKLAND.

EASING OFF KING'S WHARF. ORGANISATION PREPARED. GRADUAL PROCESS INTENDED. Although it is understood by the Auckland Electric-Power Board that the restoration of Arapuni will be marked by the distribution of a measure of power to-moiTDw evening, Auckland City will not be affected by any change from the operations at the King's Wharf power station until next Friday. The position was explained yesterday by the general manager of tho board, Mr. R. H. Bartley, who pointed out that the change would be a gradual process. It would probably take a week from Friday next, when a certain amount of power from Arapuni would be introduced into the board's district during tho evening', until the whole of the board's area would be served by Arapuni. Mr. Bartley said this week-end had merely been_regarded as a tentative date for the change. There had, at the same time, been no delay in the operations, and it was desired to make the change a gradual one. Using Coal Supplies. "Another controlling factor is that tho board will bo receiving supplies of coal for King's Wharf until next Friday," Mr. Bartley added. "It is necessary to use this supply. King's Wharf will be eased off gradually, and the greatest care will be taken in transferring the load of power to Arapuni. An abrupt change is being avoided." Mr. Bartley said tho change-over to Arapuni in 1929 had occupied about a week. In the approaching reintroduction o:; Arapuni electric supply in tho board's district, the power would be taken :!n section, by section. The board's area was divided into many sections, and the organisation was ready to carry out the ch.inga steadily. It was proposed io bring Arapuni power into the country portions of the board's district at first, the city area Wing concerned last. No dislocation was wanted, and it was considered that any interruption in power would have more serious consequences in the city than in tho country portions of the district. Heavier Load to be Met. When Arapuni takes over the power load in the .Auckland district, it will be meeting a heavier demand than obtained in its former period of operation. The King's Wharf station is now supplying about 30,000 kilowatts. Since Arapuni broke down, the load has increased by, some 4000 to 5000 kilowatts. The increase in power supply has been a satisfactory feature, in view of the difficulties of the economic situation. It was ths expectation of a steady increase which made it necessary for the board to instal additional . plant, at King's Wharf, the station having been operated at strain for some time previously. Power requirements in industry have fallen off in some directions on account of the depression in trade, but the decline has been more than compensated by a greater demand from other industries and a steady increase in the use of clcctricity for domestic purposes.