GET YOUR CANDLES READY

Chronicle (Levin), 4 May 1946, Page 5

GET YOUR CANDLES READY

-Press Association

drastic electric power cuts foreshadowed

By Telegraph-

AUCKLAND, May 3. The eleetric power outlook for this. winter is. definitely black and; it is. ifleseapahle that with ttie first cold snap which is due this month, there will be j drastic cut-offs by every supply authority in the North Island, said the general manager of the- W-aitemata Eleetric Power Board, Mr. A. Main. 'He had just returned to Auckland after a week | of investig-ating North Island generat- j ing conditions- and iiiterviewing officers j of the State Hyd'rOrElectric Department I and other supply authorities.' Mr. Main said the cut-offs would not j "be merely an hour daily hecause v/hen j the radiator load and winter demc.na Game on, supply authorities wonld he required to- reduee the load by anything up to. 30; per- cent. Then power would be- cut off up. to four or five b.ours daily for everyone. Records showed that cold snaps occurred the last weck of May. In J une and Juiy the power hoards recorded their | heaviest demands which simply could ! hot be met this- winter, and the only i remedy was for everyone to economise, j "Steps are' b'eing taken 'to reduee j street lighting drastically, ' " said Mr, I Main. "Ficture theatfes and others | with outside lighimg h'ave been given instructions td reduee lighting at once. | ! I advise consumers to keep stocks oi i j candles on hand and those with ail- J eleetric homes to ohtain alternative | | methods for heating and cooking. ! [ They will definitely nee.d them witflxn | the. next1 six weekS; unlsss,, everyone ) voiuntarily makes a sacriflce by reduc- J ing consnmption immediately. The maie unemployment problem will be com.e. serious this winter and anyone failihg to ec.Qnomise now is betraying the national interest."