POWER ECONOMY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 995, 11 June 1930, Page 1

POWER ECONOMY

RESTRICTIONS AVOIDED IF POSSIBLE WAITEMATA MUST REDUCE “It is rather early yet to say what restrictions, if any, will need to be imposed/’ said Mr. R. H. Bartley, general manager of the Auckland Power Board, this morning. “We do not like restricting power and will avoid it as far as possible,” said Mr. Bartley. The position of the Waitemata Electric Power Board, which is dependen entirely upon the Government sup* ply, is different. Today it is issuing an appeal to all its consumers to eo-operate in bringing about a reduction in demand. During the night the whole of the direct loading in the area served by the Auckland Board w r as taken over by the King’s Wharf station. This amounts to about 7,000 kv r . The balance, bringing the total load to 28,000 or 29,000 kw., will subsequently be taken over as the Arapuni supply declines. Mr. Bartley said that although small economies on the part of all consumers would result in a considerable saving in power, the board hoped to avoid having to restrict the use of power. With the Government being short in its own quota the board would be unable to obtain any relief from Penrose. When the actual load that would have to bo carried at King’s Wharf can be ascertained the board will be able to tell what the position would be in regard to the afternoon loading. The worst period for the board is between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., and it might be necessary to see what restrictions could be enforced. If the King’s Wharf station can manage the full load at that period it will be done, although it might mean forcing the plant. “Restrictions will not be enforced unless absolutely necessary,” said Mr. Bartley. Extravagance in the use of light and power, however, should be avoided by everyone, MORE SERIOUS POSITION The Waitemata Power Board is faced with a much more serious position. The board will be dependent on Horahora for its supplies while Arapuni is inactive. The present demand on Arapuni during the peak hours amounts to approximately 2.300 kw., but all that will be available for the Waitemata j Board from Horahora and other sources will be only 1,880 kw. To meet this deficit it will be neces- j sary for consumers in the Waitemata area to practise the strictest economy in their demands during certain hours. “Unless consumers co-operate in their demands they will be switched off the Government system,” is the warning issued by Mr. Trevithick. Over the whole area the dangerous hours are between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. Consumers are advised that the following effective measures must be given effect to immediately:—The number of lights used, simultaneously must be the absolute minimum; all continuously running lights such as verandah, passage and hall lights must be cut out; radiators not to be used during the dangerous hours; cooking at midday where possible; use of standard lamps or other extensions to read by; the reduction of candle power wherever possible.