POWER PROBLEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23881, 4 February 1941, Page 6

POWER PROBLEM

SHORTAGE OF COAL j RESTRICTIONS POSSIBLE .j APPROACH TO MINISTER Restrictions on the use of electricity in the North Island in the next few months are probable, should it be found impossible to get sufficient coal for tho coal-consuming plants. The output at Arapuni will be insufficient, and it was stated two months ago by Mr. R. H. Bart ley, general manager of the Auckland Electric-Power Board, that plants running on coal -would have to make up the deficiency. Tho matter was raised at a meeting of the board yesterday when a letter was received from Glen Afton Collieries, Limited. This stated that arrangements had been made with the mining controller, 31 r. Bouncy, and Waikato colliery owners, that they were to supply the board with 860 tons of crushed coal a week, at the same price as that received for railway coal, namely, 2ls 9d a ton net. The company pointed out that the arrangement would result in the board receiving 15,000 tons more than, last year, subject to production being maintained and increased. Supplies Falling Fast The chairman of the board, Mr. S. .T. Harbutt, said supplies wore falling fast. The men were not working a 40-hour week and there was not the same output per man as formerly. The board had communicated with the Power Boards' Association, which had got in touch with all its members, a deputation of whom would meet the Minister of Mines next Tuesday or Wednesday. . "Wo want to make it perfectly clear that this is not a question of the Auckland board's shortage only—it is the whole of the North Island supply," added Mr. Harbutt. In reply to Mr. J. Park, he said the board was doing all possible. Mr. Bartloy bad been asked to inquire concerning a supply of coal from tho South Island. "Wo are 35,000 tons short on our dumps, and it is that factor we want to put right," said Mr. Bartley. Up to a week ago water power was insufficient for tho demands of the North Island, and the plant on King's Wharf had been generating between 2,000,000 and 3,000,000 units a week to supplement the output of Arapuni. Conditions had improved, but it appeared that the steam plant would be needed again to supplement tho Arapuni supply. "Up to Department" Mr. Bartley said another difficulty for the Government was opened up by tho fact that Wellington had a large proportion of its plant operating on oil. Consequently there was a bigger burden on tho Auckland plant, as whatever could be saved by using coal was the correct policy. Tho power from King's Wharf was going to play an important part in supplementing the supply right through the North Island, and to do that the board needed coal. The coal was there, if there were ways and means of getting it. The board had been asked by the department to put King's Wharf station into commission and supply when required, said Mr. H. T. Goldie. Ihereforo it was up to the department to see that tho board obtained its coal. The department, not the board, had tho matter in its own hands. The position was duo to no fault of the board.

"I think it is recognised that it is no fault of ours," said Mr. Harbutt.