SHORTAGE OF POWER

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10536, 12 March 1920, Page 6

SHORTAGE OF POWER

CITY COUNCIL’S ACTION EVERYTHING POSSIBLE BEING DONE. Councillor T. Forsyth suggested tp the City Council last night that with the object of conserving the electric power it would be infinitely better it, instead of cutting out the supplies ot power to the private consumers and industries, the power for lifts were cut off and people were asked' to walk up stairs. He also asked that more power should bo made available to the industries going on in the city. Tho tramways manager tMr Morton) said that it would bo impossible to make a greater allowance to industries unless the council was willing to agree to still further curtailments in the tramway service. A small service was at present being run which could hardly be further reduced. Councillor P. Fraser also protested that the industries were 'being neglected. Mr Morton said that the amount of power made available by cutting out altogether supplies for the running of lifts would rot make any material difference to tho amount of power for the trades. The repaired boiler would be again working, normally by Monday next. Councillor J, O. did not consider that a slight curtailment et the electrical service for a couple ot weeks was a very serious matter. The Acting-Mayor (Councillor GFrost) said that ho had Mr Morton’s assurance that he was doing all that was possible in regard to tho tramways under the circumstances. From morning to evening he held conferences with his officers in regard to tho position.