Power Cut For Auckland Next Year

Chronicle (Levin), 21 December 1948, Page 3

Power Cut For Auckland Next Year

AUCKLAND, Dee. 20. Do'mpstie and cpmmereial power users 'in the Auckland Electric Power Board ;s district will be required to reduce their consunxption 10 per cent. during the year ending December 31, 1949. This is the result of the rationing scheme fixed on the qnota basis which was adopted by the Board at its meeting today on 'recomxnendations submitted by the Public Belatioiis and Power Supply Comniittee. Alajor restric'tions on the extension of supply to neyv consumers and the inBtailatiDn ;of new eiectricaJ equipment have also been imposed, and onJy limited use to be ni'ade of coniniunity lights and eiectric signs. Consumers can lodge written appeals against their HllovvaJices within 14 days of receiving notincation of their quota. .PenaJtiea for breaclies of tlie quota system are td be rigidly enforccd for domestic users. The basic quota for the year. will be fixed to provide for a 10 per cent. reduction on their consumptiou for 1944 or 1948 whiehever is the greater. The Board will take regard of obvious fluctuations during tliese peL'iods so that extravagant consumption wiil not be perniitted. fhe basic quota for all conimercial and industrial consumers during the year will be fixed oli a 10 per cent. reduction in the recorded consumption for 1948. A total prohibition on the installation of new_ electric water-heaters both for domestic and conimercial use was being considered by the State llydro-Eleetric Department in Wellington, said the chairman of the Board (Mr. C. J. Lovegrove) before the Board adopted its new quota system. Members expressed' concern that the 1 Board had to limit new business and lad to put a brake on the deveiopment ■ of the city and province. • : — ^ i