"WORSE THAN EVER”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 57, 9 March 1946, Page 7

"WORSE THAN EVER”

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER POSITION AUCKLAND BOARD’S APPEAL (P.A.) Auckland, March 7. An announcement that immediate steps were to be taken to curtail from 7.3 U to 11 p.m. street lighting in all parts of the Auckland Electric Power Board’s district, except the main commercial area, was made by the chairman ol the board. Mr S. J. Haroutt, at a meeting attended by about 100 manufacturers and large users ot power. The meeting had been called to discuss means ol affecting power economies necessitated by the shortage of water in Lakes Taupo and Walkaremoana and the break-down of a generator at Arapuni. Mr Harbutt also stated tha provision of lighting for evening sports meetings and similar activities was to be prohibited. The tramway services had been required to reduce electricity consumption by 11 per cent. In addition, the board had decided to make an urgent appeal to all consumers to cease using hot-water heaters, radiators, tubular heaters and all. other forms of electrical space heating. “We are to-day in a worse position than ever before,” said Mr. Harbutt. “We have just received word that even with the gates wide open the flow of water in the tail-race at Ayapuni was below normal, resulting in a loss of efficiency of the machines.”

Energetic steps would have to be taken to meet the emergency which had arisen, he continued. If satisfactory reductions were not achieved by the means outline! the supply of power to the whois of the board’s system. excluding hospitals and freezing works, would be subject to disconnection as required. The Government would be forced to take some action if a reduction were not effected in the next few days, said Mr. H. M. Rogerson. The position was critical and people must recognise that fact. After the meeting the board announced that if the required reduction in consumption was not obtained voluntarily by the methods stated the supply of electricity would be cut off from all consumers in the board’s area, except hospitals and certain industries, from 4 to 5 p.m. on every day of the week. Every effort would be made to give notice before such disconnection but it might not be possible to give any notice. All consumers should endeavour to reduce their consumption by not less than per cent.