Reductions in the Power Cuts

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 6087, 28 May 1947, Page 4

Reductions in the Power Cuts

BENEFITS IN CAMBRIDGE AFTERNOON RESTRICTIONS EASED MORE STREET LIGHTING The increased allocation of electricity announced by the Minister in charge of the State Hydro-Electric Department, Mr R. Semple,/is to be passed on to consumers by' the' Cambridge Electric Power Bodrd. Official advice of the improved>uipply was received by tht Cambridge Board on Monday moijning, >md alterations in the made immediately. The most important change is that affecting the afternoon cuts. Instead of the power being off every day from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. the following will apply: Monday to Friday, 2 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be no change to the evening cuts which are from 11.30 p.m. to 3.30 a.m. The new scale allows for an improvement to the street lighting arrangements. From Monday to Thursday the street lights will be on from 7.15 p.m. to 8.15 p.m. as well as from 10.15 p.m. to 11.15 p.m. as in the past. The same hours will apply on Saturday nights. On Friday nights and. Sunday nights the street lights will remain on from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. The engineer of the Cambridge Electric Power Board, Mr H. C. Oaten, explained yesterday that the method in which the increased allocation was computed gave the Cambridge Board an increase that was nearer four than five per cent. Mr Oaten said that the new hours were to be considered in the nature of a trial, and the full co-operation of the Cambridge consumers was required, as in the past. There was still an urgent need to conserve electricity. Last week the Cambridge

Board was 1% over its allocation,

added Mr Oaten. The controller was allowing that to pass, but

further concessions were not

likely if the quota were exceeded. The cuts on Monday next, which is a public holiday, will be the same as for any normal week day. No doubt the power situation will be discussed at tonight's meeting of the Cambridge Board.