Quota of Power Again Exceeded In Dunedin Area

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26775, 19 May 1948, Page 4

Quota of Power Again Exceeded In Dunedin Area

Although the quota of electricity was again exceeded in the Dunedin area during the past week, the Emergency Committee decided yesterday to- defer imposing further restrictions on retailers and domestic consumers in the hope that the required saving would be made by the full co-operation of consumers, for which the committee asked.

For the week the quota was exceeded by 5.1 per cent. The quota was exceeded by a similar amount in Dunedin during the previous week. The committee expressed regret that it had been found necessary during the week to “cut off” 14 domestic water-heaters and four neon signs because in each case the consumer had not complied with regulations. Domestic water-heaters must be switched off by the consumer at 7.30 a.m. every day and not switched on until 1.30 p.m-, the committee emphasised in a statement to the Daily Times. Shop-window lighting may be used until 10 p.m. on Monday to Thursday, inclusive, and until 9 p.m. on Friday, when it must be switched off until Monday morning. Neon signs and under-veranda lighting may be used only between 4.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. on Monday to Thursday, inclusive, and from 4.30 p.m. to 9 p.mon Friday. ...... The committee explained that it would consider any cases of extreme hardship, but added that “the regulations, in the interests of all who are co-operating, must, and will be, strictly enforced.”

North Otago The consumption of power in the Waitaki Electric Power Board’s district has been effectively reduced. Whereas the quota was exceeded by more than 20 per cent, three weeks ago, the board is now almost within its quota. Mandatory restrictions in the board’s area include the prohibition ot all advertising lighting, such as underveranda outdoor, indoor neon signs, and floodlighting; shop-window and showroom lighting is prohibited when the premises are not open for business; and all street lighting is switched off at midnight. On the order of the electricity controller, Mr A. E. Davenport, consumers are also expected to use less power, especially for radiators, water-heaters and for cooking Under the Electricity Control Order, 1948, the use of radiators is prohibited between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., from Aprn to September, inclusive.

Otago Restrictions in the Qtago Electric Power Board’s area apply to neon and shop window lighting, which al-e allowed only on late nights, and then must be switched off at 9 p.m. Consumers have been asked to reduce the amount of power used by them for water heating.

Central Otago Both the Teviot and Central Otago Electric Power Boards generate their own electricity in conjunction at the Teviot, Wye Valley and Roaring Meg stations. Because of the exceptionally dry year, a shortage of water is being experienced and the demand for power has reached the limit of the generating capacity under the circumstances. The Central Otago Board varies its restrictions from time to time This week the power is cut off for about an hour each morning and each afternoon. During the two previous weeks, when hard frosts aggravated the water shortage, the power cuts each day totalled four hours and a-half. The Teviot Board has not yet been forced to impose cuts. It, however, is installing ranges and water heaters only in new homes, while the restrictions on the sale of radiators and the installation of heating points are also being imposed. Southland Because the quota was being exceeded in the Southland supply area, the electricity controller ordered the imposition of a number of restrictions. These are now in force. They include the prohibition of domestic water heating between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.; the use of radiators and electrical tubular heating is prohibited between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., except in hospitals and in cases of sickness; shop lighting and shop window lighting is prohibited for display purposes after business hours, and electrical display, business advertising signs and underveranda lighting are prohibited. Consumers who default will be “ totally disconnected.”