SERIOUS POSITION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 7, 19 March 1947, Page 5

SERIOUS POSITION

DRASTIC POWER CUTS • ELECTRICAL ENGINEER’S REPORT At the invitation of the Mayor last Monday evening, the Borough Engineer, Mr F. W. Lysaght, sketched the drastic position which had arisen with regard to the supply of electrical power throughout the district. Mr Lysaght said that he had been warned by the Load Despatch Officer that unless the position improved heavier cuts of from 25 per cent, to 30 per cent, could be expected, accounting for approximately 8 hours daily. The whole position was due to the extra dry spell and as rain hecame more remote, further conservations would be enforced. When the first shutdowns occurred he had endeavoured to discover thfeir set times in order to give a warning to consum ers, but this had been futile. Owing to the rural nature of the load the shutdowns had been longer and fewer and it was impossible to get any set schedule. Friday had been the worst day on record but the position had improved since until today (Monday) there had been only one hour shutdown which was a distinct improvement. The Load Despatch Officer had promised to do his > utmost to deliver warnings but at present they did not know where they stood and could keep little guage upon the supply themselves.

Dealing with the water supply Mr Lysaght said that the whole position of the pumping unit was very serious. • The shutdowns had given enforced idle periods and the reservoir was at one time very low. Cr Sullivan pointed out the strong element of danger which attended the working of machines \vhich were suddenly shut off from power. He declared that the time for measures to meet the present position occurred ten years ago when engineers and supply authorities joined in warning the Government and the Minister of Works of the inadequacy of the existing plant to meet the growing demand. Now however the supply had been outpaced and the only way 1 which occurred to him was to urge the Government to instal oik-burning plants to generate power in the larger centres. Why should not some of the broadcasting stations be cut out, he asked. Why should we not be satisfied for a short time with only one YA station even if we had to pay the staffs meanwhile—the national saving would be substantial. He added that in the North Island there was an estimated shortage of something like 200,000 kilowatts. . *