HEAVIER CUTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25215, 30 May 1945, Page 6

HEAVIER CUTS

PERIOD OF 16 HOUES TEN PER CENT REDUCTION LOCAL STATION TO STOP The electricity supply crisis, which was brought into prominence on Monday by an unannounced reduction in the supply during the peak load period in the late afternoon, advanced a further stage yesterday when instructions ordering more drastic cuts were issued by the Government. Because of the failure of the coal supply, the Government ordered that the King's Wharf power station at Auckland, which supplements the hydro-electric supply, should suspend operation tonight. The other instruction calls for a reduction of 10 per cent in the load for 16 hours tomorrow and on Friday between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., and a 5 per cent reduction on Saturday. This will continue from Monday to Friday each week and a 5 per cent cut will be made on Saturday. Auckland Board's Instructions Meanwhile, further restrictions were in operation yesterday. The Auckland Electric-Power Board was ordered at midday to reduce its load by 5 per cent immediately. This was effected by a reduction in the voltage to certain industrial sections in the district. At 4 p.m. the board was ordered to make a 10 per cent reduction and to bring this about the same procedure as on Monday was followed. Several of the feeder areas in the board's district were completely cut off in rotation, but whereas the period of the shut-down was 15 minutes on Monday it was increased to 30'.minutes yesterday, because the instruction stated that the reduction must remain in force until further notice. Four of the feeder areas were exempted on both days because of their high priority. They included areas where an interruption in power was likely to cause long delays in the resumption of operations, such as at the glassworks and the freezing works, and areas where hospitals and nursing homes had to be supplied. The restrictions in the board's area were lifted at about seven o'clock last night, «vhen the load returned to normal. The general manager of the board, Mr R. H. Bartley stated that the board greatly regretted the inconvenience caused to consumers, but unfortunately the position which had developed was beyond its control. The Waitemata Area The Waitemata E+ectric-Power Board received an urgent l instruction shortly after 4 p.m. ordering a 10 per cent load reduction. Two feeders at a time were switched out for 20-minute periods until 0 p.m., when the peak period had passed: The effect of the suspension of operations at the King's Wharf power station is understood to be that the electricity supplv will be decreased by between 25,000kw and 30,000kw. The reduction which the Auckland Electric-Power Board has been instructed to make amounts to 7000kw. The station ' is operated in conjunction with the hydroelectric scheme to relieve the loading on the latter when necessary. In other periods it is also used to take up the loading in order to allow water in the storage to accumulate so that the hydroelectric scheme can be used to its maximum limits. _ The station, which was taken over from the Auckland board by the Government some time ago, was desigped to burn semi-lignite Waikato coal and it operates more efficiently with that type of fuel. However, since the war, it is understood that coal from any available source nas been used, the station using between 1800 and 2000 tons a week. The position ar the station is stated to have been responsible for the reductions in supply that are to begin tomorrow. Prohibitions by Board

In order to effect the required cuts the Auckland Power Board has prohibited. until further notice, electric radiator loading of all descriptions, shop window lighting, all under-verandah and exterior lighting, including theatre entrances, and all unnecessary inside lighting. In addition all consumers are being asked to disconnect their electri-cally-operated water-heating systems from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. each evening. Failure to observe the prohibitions will result in complete areas, including commercial areas, being disconnected. Mr Bartley stated yesterday that in connection with this week's reductions tests were commenced yesterday to determine whether the voltage could be reduced and to measure the maximum saving in kilowatts that could be achieved bv such control. However, it was unlikely that the Government s demand for a 10 per cent cut could b«met by this means. The board would therefore probably have to resort to switching out the feeders as had already been done this week to comply with the demands of the electricity controller Trams Not Yet Affected Mr Bartley pointed out that in creating supply zones the board could not provide for -all priority requirements, nor could it avoid gi\ing a benefit to users who happened to be within the boundaries of areas which received preferential treatment. Ihe tramway system had not yet been affected, although later events might make some restrictions necessary. In an attempt to meet the demand for an all-day cut tomorrow and Friday the Waitemata Power Board will reduce the voltage of supply.throughout its whole area. Should this be insufficient to effect the reduction, feeders will be switched out from time to time.

ACTION BY THE MAYOR averting undue hardship REPRESENTATIONS TO MR NASH The Mayor of Auckland, Mr J A. C. Allum, again communicated with the acting-Prime Minister. Mr Nash, last night regarding the coal'and gas short- ' ages and the suddenness with which the electricity restrictions were imposed. He pointed out to Mr Nash that the application of the power restrictions without warning had caused unnecessary hardship on the public. Mr Allum expressed the opinion to the acting-Prime Minister that power authorities, Gas Company representatives and departmental officers should meet to devise a scheme for effecting savings without causing undue hardship. The public should then be given reasonable warning of the supply that would be ayailable. Mr Nash said he would meet Mr P T. M. Kissel, the Electricity Controller, on the subject today. EFFECTS IN WAIKATO SHOPS CLOSING EARLY (0.C.) HAMILTON, Tuesday Commenting on the cuts in electricity supplv, the engineer-manager of the Central Waikato Electric-Power Board, Mr J. R- KHis, said today that every effort was being made to see that dairy factories, essential timber mills and coal mines in the district w'ould be continuously provided with power.' Inconvenience would be caused to some farmers. Members of the Hamilton Retailers' Association have decided to close their shops at 5 p.m. each day except Friday, from today until the end of August, rt, "is considered that Friday night closing should be dealt with on a national basis. A continuous supply of power has been guaranteed to the Waikato Hospital, but not to private hospitals, which might, have to rely on candles and fuel lamps for illumination. Candles were used for lighting in hotels this afternoon.