LIGHTING AND HEATING RESTRICTIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3771, 24 March 1928, Page 1

LIGHTING AND HEATING RESTRICTIONS.

BOARD MAKES ALLOW ANCES TO CONSUMERS.

LOSS ON STREET LIGHTING £lO5. The Horowhenua Power Board’s engineer (Mr. J. A. Smith) reported to the Board on Tuesday that on February 28th, the street lighting was resumed between sunset and 11 p.m., and on March 7th it was restored to the usual times —sunset to sunrise. On March 7th all restrictions were lifted, and the flaxmills have returned to normal running times. The general aspect of the position brought about by the recent water shortage was dealt with by the Secretary (Mr. P. W . Goldsmith), in his report, which contained the following references to the matter: — RESTRICTIONS REMOVED. ■ It will he remembered that at the .last Board meeting in accordance with the directions of the Public Works Department, our load had been very considerably reduced, because the industrial load had become a night load and not a dayload as formerly, the street lights were cut out, and consumer had been asked to cut off water-heat-ers during the day and to economise in the use of power generally. On February 28th the Resident Electrical Engineer wired to say that the most irksome restrictions could •be removed, but there was still great need for economy by consumer's as a whole. Consequently the street lighting was resumed from dusk until 11 p.m. On March 7th the District Engineer wired:—“Restrictions on load may be removed.” / Communication of the good news was quickly made to the industrial concerns and the press. The street lights were again put on for all-ngiht service.

REVENUE AFFECTED BY THE

RESTRICTIONS

1. Street Lighting.—Enquiries were received from soijie of the local bodies as to how they would fare when the bill came in for street lighting. What has been done in the matter is that in the quarterly accounts rendered for street lighting, one month’s rebate has been deducted from the account, which represents the time when the street lighting service was not given at all. There were minor restrictions, involving shorter hours of service of which no account has been taken, but the main restriction of one clear month’s lighting has been taken into account, and no charge has been made for a service which was not and could not have been ren dered. This should be satisfactory to the local bodies. For the Board the loss in revenue from the power which we could not supply for street lighting amounts to £lO5 12s. 2. Ranges. —'Consumers were requested to economise in the use of cookers; hence for one month the minimum rate has not been enforced, but only the units used have •been paid for. This will entail some loss —not a serious one perhaps, but still a loss. Until the meters in both the northern and southern areas are read, it is not very easy to arrive at the approximate amount with any certainty. 3. • Domestic Wiater-heaters—lt will be remembered that consumers were asked in the restricted period to cut off these water-heaters during the day. The meters have been read throughout the northern district and where the consumer claims to have complied with the Board’s request in this respect, an allowance of half the charge for a period of one month has been made to the consumer. In the southern area, when the meters are read the same course will be pursued. Exact figures are not yet available, but doubtless the loss in revenue to the Board will probably be in the neighbourhood of £SO. 4. Flaxmill Load.—There will doubtless be considerable loss to the Board through dispensing with the day load during some weeks of the busiest time of the year. The night rates are much lower, and the difference between the two will mean a loss in revenue to the Board. This, however, cannot be ascertained until the end of the quarter—this is, the end of the present month.