Power Revenue Up Despite Restrictions

Chronicle (Levin), 18 March 1948, Page 4

Power Revenue Up Despite Restrictions

' Despite the restrictions on the use of eiectric power, the'total net j-evenue earned "by the Horowhenua Power Board for the first eleven months*- of the current financial year shows a gain of £6083 eom•pared with the same period last year. In a report presented by the board at its monthly meeting yesterday, the 1 .managing-secretary, Mr. R. A. Frederikson, gave the figures as £89,340, as .against £83,257. Continuing his report, Mr. Frederikson stated that the Feb'ruary meter readings had shown a steady increase # under all headings, the monthly qet revenue being £6835, as against the previous February's to'tal of £6398-, the increase over that period the previous year being, therefore, £437, Connecting Beach Cottages Reporting on beach*' cottage connections, he said that chere were still a number of applications , coming f orward. " Some could _ be

served from exrstmg retieuiamon, but others involved line extensions. It was not possible, he said, particularly with the existing stait, to cope with them expeaitiOusly in additlon to applications for exomsions from permanent residences, and at the same time carry out ordinary maintenance. There was also the question of availability of supply , and it was hardly reascnable to connect beach cottages at the expense of the suppiy o the board's pefmanent consumers. Ile, therefore, sought permisoion i.o issue permits for wiring these premises on the understanding that the connection f J ihe supply would be made available ■ ar the pleasure- of the board. After some discussion it was agreed that permission be granced to the managing-secretary to acc accordingly. . Rationing of water heaters' h'ld been put into effect on February 24, and controlled heaters were icsiricted to 18 hours daily, the hours of the cuts being 11.3.0 a.m. fu 12 30 p.m. ahd midnight to 3 -a.m , reported. the engineer, Mr. J. F. • Bryce. . During the first week of the rationing, no improvement was made owihg to there being several cold nights. Probably numerous radiators were in use and the unit consumption was still over 9 per cent. high. For the week ending March 7 however, the excess consumption was down to -three and , U-h.alf per, cent. .'ihe pcau i .i

had occurred - - .duringp the second week iiprJanuqry antuag Easter aioO ^elljin.the.firs^ quarjt'er("it s^oiil,d be possible ptoj a'void *any [ ext/a . large :peaLL In tlie ^^.cqnd. qii9ptei:>; . ♦ / P^wei- position Discussing the .question, oi jpower isuppl^, the - chairman, Mr.; T". G. ,Vincept, ; said " that i tl\e poster "sent round last , -Thursday ,by tlie board was out of date ' by .,the Monday, Owing to the fresh restrictiohs. The situation '. was .".exceedingly grim." Apparentiy laclt of rain was the main ,f actor in tne present position, plua a, serious shorfage of coal, and oil. If an exceedingly cold snap ckme, the board would probably have no .. alternative kbut to . cut power f urth'er . . * • , - Asked. ' ,by Major- General . R. Young whether the. cutting of . street lights might help the situation, tlie engineer stated that power used for street lights in the whole of the board's area was small, and could be used by half a dozen houses. The upshot of the discussion was that it was obvious that the executive staff should be left to decide whefi and where cuts should be imposed, said the x chairman. It was better for the board to cut than have the authorities cut from the hydr® stations. They would have no compunction in pulling the switches at any time if the board was ofTendmg. In regard to uncontrolled water heaters, the same action would have to be taken as was instituted last year. If a consumer did not make the required saving, the .water heater. would have to be cut off. Ih- reply to a • questidfi -as to whether such action - 'had been taken last year, the managingsecretary stated that several water heaters had been disconnected for a -HIViq