HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 60, 12 March 1923, Page 7

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

REPLY TO MINISTER. CONTROL, OPTOSF.D. (P.y Telegrapn. — nwn CrMTCSpOn'.lellt.) CAMRRIDCK. Saturday. At Inst night's meeting of the Cambridge Power Hoard, the chairman (Mr. Mervyn SSYIsI rcfcrre.l to a letter which appeared in a recent issue of the "SS'ai kat.i Independent." over the signature ol tlie Minister of Public Works, replvin. to certain criticism of the Government. control of the Morahora hvdm-olee.rical works. Mr. SS'ells said that, he hesj. luted to criticise, because he had a high opinion of tiie Hon. -1. (.'. Coate-' control of his Depart input anil his robust common sense. IL- was grateful to the Minister for the way he had hplpvd the Hoard with sound advice and in othei ways. However, the sneaker said In considered that the lloraiiora power wa the birihriglr. of the South Auckland District, and should be handed over I, the four (lower board, concerned. I,: spite of being in ehan.p of ;in excellent Minister, the Horuhora supply was now a State undertaking, and .-,, long as il remained so it-: manageinen' would br> costly — more lhan ii controlled by the boards -and the people could not' hop. for cheap power. As regarded the Minister's -piery ;l - lo why the povvo, boards sought after liorahora powei when they declared they could jre' cheaper power by ~,!„',' means. 5,,-. SSVlls declared that they had hoped t ~r liovernment chorees would be much cheaper. ..iid they -.till hoped there would be a dilbstiiiiti.il reduction in these j charges in •.he near future. Mr. SS'ells said be would Ic-.v-.- sever;-' other points in the Mini-tor's letter foi S Mr. Roche to reply to at next meeting that gentleman, nnfortitna.ely. being un I able to attend that night owing to in j disposition.