LIGHTING RESTRICTIONS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 123, 30 June 1941, Page 5

LIGHTING RESTRICTIONS

WHAKATANE USING OVER QUOTA appeal to consumers In spite of the appeal made to v ~the residents of tlie Whakatane Borough some weeks ago to conserve electric power as much as posßibl'e by cutting, down the « -use of electric appliances and lighting, notice has been, received by the Borough Electrical En- : gineer, Mr F. W. Lysaght, from the central authorities notifying him that the town, over the week ending June 21, had used' 4 per cent more power than its - quota. It is necessary that this extra power used! should be conserved and the quota adhered to. Number of Units. The restrictions in the use of elcctrie power requested by the Govern"3nent apply to the number of units and not the jpep.it load of the town. that the reduction is necessary, not because of the inability of hydro-electric stations to provide the power owing to lack •of machinery, but that, perhaps, the ■supplies of coal are not sufficient. However, whatever the cause, it is'essential that the householders throughout the Dominion take the request seriously. Switched Off. That the Government is not slow to take action is indicated by the promptness of the noting of Whaka-< lane's breach, but was more so in Wellington recently when, despite n "warning the citizens did not conform with the request, and for ovei two hours the power Avas cut off throughout the city and suburbs. This "switch-off" did not only apply to residences, but also to every other user. Thus, if the residents of this town do not make a more serious effort, the same remedy may be .applied. Whakatane's Quota. At present the quota for the town is to an amount five per cent greater than that the number of units consumed lasst year. Over the week in question the units used represented a nine per cent increase on that used in the same period of last year. Some towns had a higher <juota, but in the blackout areas the increases for the year are kept to » .minimum. Appeal for Conservation. Consumers of power in the town •are again asked to watch carefully sill use of power. Mr Lysaght states that the probable main trouble is the use of radiators:, and he hopes '.that users of such will curtain the consumption as much as possible. Care to not leave lights burning •unnecessarily, to switch off water 'heaters as often and for as long n? possible, and generally to minimise the use of power in both the home -.and business premises is asked for fcy the Borough Council so that the town's quota will not be exceeded, and that the position will not arise when Whakatane will be subjected !io a "switch-off."