POWER RESTRICTIONS

Opunake Times, 2 April 1948, Page 2

POWER RESTRICTIONS

REPRESENTATIVE MEETING POSITION DISCUSSED A new departure was instituted when the chairman of the Opunake Electric, Power Board, Mr. J. S. Hickey, and the Board’s engineer, Mr. E. G. Suel!, met representatives of Hie farmers. Dairy Factories and Businessmen on Wednesday evening, to discuss the imposition of further cuts in the supply of electricity as requested by the Electricity Controller. Mr. Hickey explained the reasons for the cuts and read the following telegram from the controller :

“Further to my • circulars 18 February, 11 and 24 March, the supply position continues to deteriorate and it is essential to reduce consumption still further stop please limit forthwith and until further notice your weekly consumption of electrical energy to 15 per cent below your original weekly allocation of units.” A full informal discussion of the effects of further cuts then took place and the respective representatives outlined their electricity requirements in order that the shut-off periods could be staggered to cause the least inconvenience to all sections. It was agreed that the shut-off periods (as advertised elsewhere) would create the least hardship to the great majority of consumers.

A resolution was passed asking ike Board to pass on to tlie proper authorities a request for a reduction in the hours of broadcasting. Mr. Hickey stated,, that street lighting would only he cut off during the main shut-off periods. He pointed out that street lighting used only a negligible amount of power, insufficient to warrant special cut-off periods. A motion of appreciation of the Board’s action in giving consumers the privilege of discussing the problem was passed, the Board’s action being heartily approved bv all present as a most considerate one.