POWER OUTPUT

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 80, Issue 7181, 27 March 1950, Page 3

POWER OUTPUT

CHIEF FACTOR STATED AVAILABILITY OF COAL That the conference realised the seriousness of the power position and would urge its members to make strenuous efforts to keep within their allocations was a resolution passed at a combined meeting of engineers and secretaries of provincial power boards on the second day of the regional conference in Hamilton. In reply to a question concerning the possibilities of steam generating relieving the electric powei* position, Mr B. L. Grant, of the State Hydro Department, Auckland, said that at King’s Wharf the output was limited by the amount and type of coal which was available. There had never been enough to run the station at peak, he said.

“ There are times when there is plenty of coal in the Waikato but no railway waggons. There are times when there is plenty of coal in the South Island but no shipping; and there are times when there are plenty of waggons but no coal,” Mr Grant said.

Plant and staff were sufficient, but coal was needed and it had not yet been received.

The station was running to the maximum coal supply and was producing about 2,000,000 units a week.

It did not matter how much publicity was given the seriousness oi the situation or how often the consumer was exhorted to make savings This was not nearly as effective as rationing, said Mr J. C. Collins, of the State Hydro Department, Rotorua. Keeping Within Allocations Mr N. M. Spiers, Auckland, said it was not likely that any appreciable relief would occur until 1952 and supply authorities must decide now to keep within their allocation each year. If the allocation was exceeded in one year there was that much less power available in the following supply period. He said that the financial aspect involved would probably have some bearing but the possibility of loans should be investigated.

Another member said that in many rural areas pressure had been imposed on consumers for a number of years, which did not leave a great margin for a reduction without imposing considerable hardship.

Seriousness of Situation That some ' uniformity on the question of extra installations in the future -should be considered was mentioned by Mr L. G. Sharp, of the Franklin Power Board. Mr J. B. Gray said it was breaking the law to refuse to provide- services to businesses.

A recommendation was made that Mr A. E. Devenport, general manager of the State Hydro Electric Department, should be approached to make a series of broadcasts impressing upon the public the immediate seriousness of the situation./