USUAL DAYLIGHT SAVING

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1043, 6 August 1930, Page 7

USUAL DAYLIGHT SAVING

COUNTRY POWER SCHEME JEOPARDISED AUCKLAND BOARD SURPRISED The announcement at Christchurch by the Prime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, that the suggestion to introduce daylight saving earlier this year in order to relieve the electric-power situation in Auckland will not be adopted, “as it would affect the arrangements throughout New Zealand,” comes as a considerable surprise to the Auckland Electric-Power Board. In commenting on this decision the chairman of the board, Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, said it had been the belief of the board that the Government was anxious and had definitely committed itself to - help the Auckland Province out of ah awkward position as far as the power supply was concerned. It had been thought by the board that a small amount of inconvenience would not have prevented the Government from allowing daylight saving earlier. Had this been introduced, the advantages would outweigh the inconvenience. Only at its last meeting, the general manager of the board, Mr. R. H. Bartley, said the failure of Arapuni had thrown the board back on Its own resources, and it had been required to meet a 1930 demand with a 1925 plant at King’s Wharf power station. According to Mr. Holdsworth, the board, in fulfilling its promise to help the farmers of the province by giving an adequate supply of electricity, will now have to wait until the days lengthen before it can give the country this supply. This position will be solely due to the Government’s decision, which will cause a great deal of trouble and inconvenience in the country districts. For the purposes of the board, additional daylight saving would have had the effect of extra plant. Considering the effects of a decision such as that announced by the Prime Minister, the rejection of the proposal is surprising to the board, particularly as the scheme was advanced in the interests of country consumers. VISIT TO GLEN AFTON POWER BOARD INSPECTION Members of the Auckland ElectricPower Board left the Quay Street office of the board at nine o’clock this morning on a car journey to the Glen Alton collieries. The trip was arranged by Glen Afton Collieries, Ltd., to allow the board to inspect the mine, from which it will receive an adequate supply of coal suitable for the operation of the steam plant at King's Wharf power station. Long negotiations were made by the board before it was assured of a supply of coal of the correct type for the steam plant. The use of other coal varieties previously had had a damaging effect on the machinery. RESTRICTIONS TO END POWER BOARD’S PROSPECTS Within the next day or so, the Auckland Electric-Power Board will be able to lift the restrictions imposed on the use of power in the city, such as those relating to electric signs. The lengthening of the days has made this possible. ' Under favourable conditions, all restrictions imposed in the city will he lifted shortly, and those in the_ country districts in about two weeks’ time.