MORE POWER BEING USED THAN CAN BE SUPPLIED

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 May 1948, Page 4

MORE POWER BEING USED THAN CAN BE SUPPLIED

STATE HYDRO DEPARTMENT ORDERS CURTAILMENT.

(P.A.) Wellington, May 3. All supply authorities in the North Island were requested by telegram from the State Hydro Electric Department, Wellington, this afternoon to take prompt action, with view to further power cuts being avoided. The North Island exceeded Its quota by 4.22 per cent, last week, and it appears, on the figures available, that the South Island excess is 10 per cent. The South Island authorities will be telegraphed tomorrow, when complete figures are available.

The North Island allocation last week was 26,706,000 units, and the consumption 27,835,000 units, an excess of 1,127,000 units. The level today at Taupo was 1172.75- feet, compared with 1172.8 a week earlier, and at Waikaremoana, 1989.10 feet against 1989.40 ft. Mangahao dams were full last week, but only partly full today.

The continued overdrawing on the quota, together with the absence of rain, is reducing the lakes’ storage. The South Island consumption last week, anticipated to be 10 per cent. above quota on the present figures, does not include Nelson and Marlborough, which are not connected to the main supply system. Power cuts in the South Island started on April 26.

Despite existing cuts and appeals the Hutt Valley Electric Power Board had not got down to its quota, said the chairman (Mr. J. Huggan) tonight. It is now necessary to Impose an additional restriction in the form of 10.30 p.m. to 11 p.m. cut each day, including week-ends. The department’s telegram had not been received by the Wellington City Council’s Electricity Department when the office closed, but it is understood savings in Wellington last week were not satisfactory.