POWER RESTRICTIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24825, 23 February 1944, Page 6

POWER RESTRICTIONS

| NEW INSTALLATIONS j ESSENTIAL NEEDS ONLY

That the public was not sufficiently conversant with the restrictions on power supply contained in the Electricity Control Order, 1943, Am endment'No. 1, was the opinion expressed by the general manager, Air. It. H. 1! art ley, at a meeting of the Auckland Electric-Power Board. The order governs supply authorities in the issue of permits ior electrical connections and their subsequent installation, the principal determining feature being the essential character or otherwise ol the establishment to be connected.

Air. Hartley said he had written to the Electricity Controller, Mr. F. T. M. Kissel, stating that there had been cases of people investing money in businesses and finding that a supply of power was prohibited under the order. It was the responsibility of the people concerned, but they appeared ignorant of the restrictions. He had urged tjiat publicity should be given to the effect of the order.

Mr. Kissel, in replying to the board, said he had anticipated a flood of complaints, but there had been only one or two isolated requests for dispensations. He agreed that publicity would do some good and said ho would endeavour to have it done. Mr. Bartlev quoted the case of a man who had installed a large refrigerator. but found that a supply of power for that purpose was prohibited. The letter from Mr. Kissel was received. THE SUPPLY POSITION ANXIETY FOR THE WINTER Anxiety about the supply of electrical power during the coming winter was expressed by the chairman, Mr. S. .}. Harbutf, at a meeting of the Auckland Electric-Power Board. There was no doubt that the position wa-s serious, he said, but what it would be like in the winter of next year he did not know. "The time has come to go further into the open," he added. On his suggestion it was decided to refer the matter to the publicity committee set up at a regional conference of snpph authorities in December. It was also resolved,to discuss the question with the Auckland Chamber of Commerc* and the Manufacturers' Association.