BOROUGH COUNCIL TO SEND DEPUTATION DIRECT TO CONTROLLER & MINISTER AT WELLINGTON

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 11, 13 July 1949, Page 5

BOROUGH COUNCIL TO SEND DEPUTATION DIRECT TO CONTROLLER & MINISTER AT WELLINGTON

More Power Sought

Mr Barry said that the full position would be placed before the power authorities but he warned that even if the Borough’s quota were to be increased further cuts would still have to be imposed on some consumers in the town. “In the past few weeks,” he continued, “the consumption has been going up without any signs of improvement. Several new appliances have been connected and these are •drawing power from our present quota. If we have to connect up any more, I don’t know where the power is going to come from.” He said that members of the Borough Council had discussed the position with officials 'of the Power Board.' It had been explained that there would, have to be a saving in the Borough as in the future the town will not be allowed to go over the quota. ,

Rationing Not Possible “I have gone into the position very carefully and I find it is absolutely impossible for the Borough Council to go in for a rationing scheme. It would need a full time staff of four to operate one such as used in Rotorua and it just can’t be done. The required staff cannot be provided,” Mr Barry declared. The Mayor pointed out that to save further blackout cuts some restrictions were needed. Domestic consumers could not be rationed any. further on hot water as they were getting barely enough as it was. Lighting could not be cut any more.

Cr Sullivan: I know. I have to use two lights now to read. Mr Barry: We have only one alternative and that is to ration the commercial consumer. I suggest that we impose a restriction of 7-»-per cent. Coal Ranges? He said that the commercial consumer had so far not been touched by cuts but would now have to reduce consumption by 7a- per cent. “Further,” Mr Barry continued, “we will have to ask the State House Department to instal coal ranges instead of electric stoves in all new houses. There are several being built at Whakatane now and I don’t see how we arc going to supply them.”

Cr Sullivan: Is there no possibility -of getting an increased allocation?

Mr Barry: We have applied and are pushing the application as hard as we know how but after talking to Power Board officials I don’t think there is much hope. Cr A. D. O’Rourke said he thought that the Council should press for all new houses being built at Whakatane, including State houses, to be installed with coal ranges. Mr Barry: It is a retrograde step. But what else can we do? Cr R. S. Buttimore said it seemed definite now that most people in the town were 'trying to s&ve pow,er wherever possible. , Mr Barry: Yes, I think /most people are playing the game. ? “Shouldn’t the position be improving soon?” Cr E. R. Dillicar asked.. There was no shortage of water in the lakes. He wanted to know' whether the desperate position was immediate or likely to improve within the next few weeks. “It Seems Unfair” “It seems unfair to me that we should be getting it in the neck when other places appear to have more power than they can use.” Mr Barry: The trouble is the rapid increase and expansion of the Borough. The quota cannot cope with the demand. Again, the allocation all over New Zealand is not fair. Some places appear to be getting more than others. Mr F. Lysaght, electrical engi-

neer: Even if the allocation is increased it won’t be a fraction of the amount over the quota at present. It was puzzling to go to some towns, which seemed to have power to burn, Cr Dillicar said. In fact, some were just wasting it. He understood that Wellington had plenty of power. It did not seem right to him.

Mr Barry: It is the unfair allocation.

Cuts Will Be Disastrous Before further cuts were introduced Cr Sullivan thought the Council should interview the Controller. In Wellington everything was used, lights, radiators and water beaters.

With the power consumption still increasing steadily the possibility of more cuts, this time of commercial power, was considered by the Whakatane Borough Council on Monday night. A cut of 11 per cent on commercial consumers was suggested by the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, but after some discussion it was decided that a deputation consisting of the mayor, deputy-mayor, Mr C. S. Armstrong, and Councillor W. Suiiivan wait on the Electricity Controller and the Minister in an effort to get Whakatane’s present allocation increased.

“If we impose cuts on industry it will he disastrous,” he contended. “The building of new houses will be halted and it will, in fact, be injurious to

the whole town.” The whole situation, was a grave one and would not be remedied until more power was produced. “I would be happy to go with the Mayor to interview the Controller and the Minister in an endeavour to have the allocation increased,” Mr Sullivan added.

The Dark Ages? “We need an increase,” the Mayor agreed, “but the Power Board wanted something done now.” “If the Editor of the Beacon had come along to me and discussed the whole situation before printing all those articles the position might have been different. It was just foolish rushing into print,” he contended.

Cr H. G. Warren said he wanted to see all the old and new houses connected up. He wanted the street lights on again and would not be satisfied until they were. At present the town was being forced back to the dark ages.

“Sympathy is not enough. We want more power,” Cr O’Rourke remarked.

Mr Barry: I know. I want more hot water.

Mr Lysaght said he thought that very few people in the Borough were wasting power. It was just the phenomenal growth of the town. . “The Government will never get ahead of the shortage the way it is going. It should let contracts to some of the big English firms and have about two or three hydro-sta-tions being built at once.” he declared.

A 7-i per cent cut of commercial consumers seemed the only way out, the Mayor said. If something were not done the Power Board would be forced to cut off the power when it would really hurt, and not, as at present, when it only causes some inconvenience.

He then moved that the 7£- per cent cut be imposed and the motion was seconded by Cr Buttimore. Deputation First Cr Sullivan, opposing the motion, said he thought the Council should see the commercial users first before imposing cuts and see if the consumption could not be lowered through voluntary saving. Every avenue should be explored before introducing further cuts. He moved the amendment that a deputation from the council wai£ on the Controller and Minister to try for an increase. Cr R. T. Morpeth supported this suggestion and thought the deputation should consist of the mayor, the deputy-mayor and Cr Sullivan. Mr Barry agreed that a deputation should be sent but he thought something further should be done in the meantime. The amendment was carried and the deputation will probably visit Wellington on Monday. If no increase is granted the 7£ per cent cut will be imposed on commercial users.