ENORMOUS INCREASE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 125, 30 May 1941, Page 4

ENORMOUS INCREASE

DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY "I think you will all agree that the board has had a good financial year, and as a result we have been able to •strengthen our reserve funds, which is so desirable, if not absolutely necessary, in these times,” said the chairman, Mr. F. Purnell (Marton), when the annual reports were being adopled by the Wanganui-Rangitikai Electric-power Board yesterday. This satisfactory position had given the board a good £40,000 in liquid assets which were in the hands of sinking fund commissioners and earning interest. Difficulties had been experienced because of the war and import restrictions, and the present overlapping of grnerating plants, to cope with the demand for power throughout the North Island, had also created problems. People were now being urged to practice economy in the use of electricity, but as far as he could see at the present time consumers would experience little inconvenience and industry would not suffer. With careful handling of the position, and the co-operation of industrial and domestic consumers, industry would not be hampered and the normal use of electricity scarcely affected. The shortage of power. Mr. Purnell added, was caused mainly by the enormous increase in the use of electricity. The Auckland Power Board, for example, had reached an annual revenue of £1.000,000. but a few years ago this would have been considered impossible. The Government department responsible for the supply of power, however, was doing ils best Io meet the position. The Hon. W. J. Rogers, M.L.C., congratulated Mr. Purnell on his annual report, describing it as a record of good work.