CHANGE IN POLICY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 286, 15 September 1947, Page 4

CHANGE IN POLICY

Question Asked Power Board CRY FOR EXPANSION : NOW LIMITATION For nearly 20 years the Ashbui’ton Elective Power Board had been trying to build up the use,of power, but now all thought seemed to be turned to restricting and regulating its use, said Mr James Carr at the monthly meeting of the Power Board to-day. “Is there any danger of exhausting the supply of- power in the South Island,” he inquired. “Should not all our energies be directed to giving the suppy demanded,” he asked further.

In reply, Mr H. G. Kemp (engineersecretary) said sources of power in the South Island were almost limitless. As to the fhture, the Government was fully aware of the need for building stations. The whole matter, however, turned on manpower and materials. It had been decided to go ahead with the Coal Creek scheme, which would produce 300,000 kilowatts. The whole trouble was the time that it would take to complete it at the best. “It looks as though the whole concentration in the sountry for many years to come will be on the development of power Stations,” he concluded. The Government was doing its utmost with the means at its disposal, considered the chairman (Mr E. F. Nieol. “I atn reasonably hopeful that, provided the increased demand is not too great, under normal Weather conditions we will he able to cope with it. ’