POWER REVENUE INCREASES

Chronicle (Levin), 24 July 1946, Page 2

POWER REVENUE INCREASES

HOROWHENUA'S FINANCES An increase of £1413 in the revenue for the fjrst quarter of the. flnancial year, in spite of rationing, was reported to this month's meeting of the Horowhenua Power Board .by the managing-secretary (Mr. R. A. Frederiksoni . An examination of June meter readings had disclosed that the increase in domestic consumption was not entirely due to the larger number of consumers, said . Mr! Frederikson. The average consumption per consumer for June was 329 units, as compared with 306 last year. Lack of economy by consumers was not the whole reason for the increase. Other factors, such as shortages of homes and fuel, had a direct bearing on the situation. Beach cottages, formerly occupied only at holiday periods, were now used as permanent residences, and quite a number of houses had been turned into two unit dwellings, with " an increase in consumption. "In view of the extra cut imposed on account of the low level at Lake Taupo," the report stated, "I would urge all domestic consumers to make a special effort, as voluntary saving can be more elfective and less inconveriient than compulsory shut-downs." The chairman (Mr. G. A. MohlO said that the. difficulties created by the cut-oifs for the slaff were nofc' generally appreciated. In order to cut oif certain sections, men were required to go out in all weathers and at all times. In reply to a question, Mr. Mcnk said that extra units were in operation at Arapuni and Waikaremoana. The use of siphons made this possible, but the level of the lakes were such now that even the siphons were not fully effective. The shortage of coal also effected the situation. The monthly report of the engineer, which was adopted contained a statement on rationing, which said that a message was reeeived from the Load Controller, Hamilton on July 8, to the effect that as practically no rain had fallen in the Taupo area, and. that the King's Wharf steam station was practically out ;of coal, further reductions in power consumption were to be made. The previous rationing scale meant that the board was to keep 5,400 units below its normal daily consumption, which varied from week to we.ek, but had been in the vicinity ; of T0,000' units. "The rieW scalb^Tbtj'iih-'-1 ed it to keep 8,100 units below its normal daily allocation, thus making a further daily reduction of 2,700 units. In order to cope with this demand, it had been found necessary to impose further cuts in the suppl^L ■