THE COUNCILS' MOVE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 210, 4 September 1919, Page 7

THE COUNCILS' MOVE.

I FOR ELECTRIC POWER. AN EXPERT'S OPINION. A great deal of interest is being taken in the conference ,of local bodies to be held on Friday evening, which will discuss the practicability of bringing electric power from the Horahora works for the use of the Auckland suburbs. An opinion upon the feasibility of this scheme was given this morning by Mr. W. Vernon, M.Sc, lecturer in physics at the Auckland University. Mr. Vernon stated that the Council's move was undoubtedly a step in the right direction. Of course, the surplusfrom the Horahora works is at present far too small to be of any great value to Auckland, as it is hardly more than the amount generated by the City Council. It would, however, do one thing; it would hasten the coming of hydroelectric power into Auckland. . Mr. Vernon continued: "If the Auck- [ land people battle, and get transmission lines to Auckland, they will be able to take advantage of any surplus available from Horahora to Auckland. More important still, they will be able to connect with the Government scheme at Arapuni with the least possible delay. Naturally the Waikato towns have the first claim upon any surplus from Horahora, on account of their proximity to the works, and after they have been served there will be but little surplus for Auckland. " It is impossible to emphasise overmuch the great urgency for hydro-elcc- | trie power here, it" Auckland is to take j her rightful place in the manufacturing towns of New Zealand. Christchurch | and Dunedin have heen equipped with | hydro-electric power for some time now, and have made great use of it in o their I various industries. The present coal | crisis shows the immense advantage to :be derived fTom hydro-electric power. I These cities are now being saved thou- ' sands of pounds annually by using "the I white coal of the mountains." ) Mr. Vernon concluded: "We must hasten, by every means in our power, i the construction of transmission lines from the Waikato to Auckland, so that no time be lost when the Government can finally get Arapuni under way."