HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 164, 11 July 1919, Page 6

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

DEVELOPMENT IN DOMINION. . ADDRESS BY MR. CROOKES. '■"Hydro-electric Power" was the subject of an address delivered by Mr. 8. "Irwin Crookes at the Congregational Church last evening, under the auspices of tho lit. Eden Literary a[nd Debating Society, Mr. L. Taylor presiding. The lecturer said that England, which was usually regarded as a somewhat lethargic country, had recognised the great possibilities in electric development, and liad set up a committee to in quire into the subject. This body recommended that the island should bo divided into sixteen districts, in each of which a huge power station should be established, and the whole island linked up by transmission lines. Most important industrial developments were expected, which would form one of the dominant planks of reconstruction policy. Though tiie Mother Country laboured under a dis< advantage regarding the source of water power, in comparison with New Zealand, it was estimated that she would save 80.000,000 tons of coal, to the value of £ 27,000,000. In the United States the vast sources of water power had been enormously developed, and although only 25 per cent, of the available power had been harnessed, while steam power used for generating electricity had increased by 2.10 per cent,, there had been an increase of 450 per cent, in the utilisation o! water power. The development of tho available water power in various countries in 1014 was: —Germany 44 per cent., Switzerland 25 per cent., Canada 21 per cent., Norway 20 per cent., and New Zealand 1 per cent. .Mr. Crookes instanced Ontario and Norway as "paragons of the rapid development of industries subsequent to the supply of cheap power. SUGGESTED GOVERNMENT SCHEMES. The scheme suggested by the Government expert, Mr. Parry, for the North Island was the building of three big stations at Arapuni, Lake Waikaremoana, and Maungahao, thus linking up the whole of the island. From Arapuni on the Main Trunk line it was ultimately proposed to link up with the Wairua Falls, and thus distribute power throughout the whole of the northern peninsula. The scheme was most comprehensive. Reviewing what had already been done he H aid that at Mangahao the preliminary work was far advanced, and it was estimated that 20,000 h.p. was available. \\ ork at Waikaremoana was at present in abeyance, but the estimated horsepower was 40,000, and possibly 130,000. The fir.st suggested installation at Arapuni was to generate 90,000 h.p., and as the result of the preliminary survey two and a-half years ago, it was ultimately expected to develop 102,000,000 h.p. The biggest item in this scheme was the building of a dam 140 ft. in height, and driving and tunnelling investigations were at present in progress to ascertain if the foundation would give enough stability for the furtherance of this project. The latest reports were most favourable. It would be a huge asset in the economical development of the Auckland province, and Mr. Parry's report stated that it would be possible tor every householder and every industry to benefit. What was wanted was a cheap supply, and he instanced California as an example where this had resulted. Despite the increase -in the cost of material, after tw'entr rears' working the cost of power was only one-half what it was formerly. It had led to a great industrial saving of £10 per h.p. annually, and it was estimated that New Zealand would benefit by the system in lieu of steam to the extent of £1,000,000 annually. It meant an outlay of seven and millions, and this would thus b,e counterbalanced in seven years. Great economical advantages would accrue, and the money saved would be used in other channels for development. Dealing with the question of distance transmission, he contended that the dfitance of Arapuni from Auckland, about 120 miles, would not hinder the scheme, as in America no insugerable difficulties had been transmitting a distance of 245 miles from the source of supply. THE HORA HORA SCHEME. In connection with the Hora Hora scheme, Mr. Crooks stated that he wa3 recently one of a deputation to Sir \Ym. Fraser, Minister of Public Works, and the latter had given them the assurance that the Government was in all probabilitg going to purchase the station, and then might bring any surplus power not utilised in supplying Hamilton, Cambridge and other Waikato districts to Auckland. Further, in the event of the Arapuni scheme being unsuccessful, there was a subsidiary one at the Aratiatia rapids. A suggestion that the present coal production was cheaper was scouted by the lecturer, as also the idea of utilising the Huntly slack, which had •been duly considered by the Government expert. In his own opinion, many times tho present output from the Taupiri mines would be required, and then there was thp labour to be considered. As i the price of coal increased the steam source of production would lose ground. •Provided the tests for the foundation for the dam at. Arapuni met with success, the power from that station should be available within five years. On the motion of the chairman, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Crooks for his able and enlighte-nin" i address. °