AUCKLAND'S POWER.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 31, 7 February 1928, Page 17

AUCKLAND'S POWER.

THREATENED SHORTAGE. EMERGENCE PLANT NECESSARY. REPRESENTATIONS TO GOVERNMENT. Concentration on the completion of one turbino at Arapuni, and the expediting of the erection of the emergency plant at Penrose is urged upon the Government by the Auckland Electric Power Board in view of the increasing demand for power —particularly industrially— and the heavy anticipated load during the coming winter, which threatens to be one of the most difficult since the inception of the board. In urging exceptional measures for the achievement of very necessary relief, the chairman of the hoard (Mr. W. J. Holdsworth) f-aid at yesterday's meeting that it was impossible to overstress the importance of the work on the commercial industrial, agricultural and domestic life of the community. Power from Arapuni was expected by April 1 of the present >ear, and through unfortunate delay, the success attained by the board was now likely to place it in a most trying position. The total capacitv at King's wharf sub-station was 26,000 kw., plus 2000 k.w. from Horahora when available, but the board had had no help from the latter source since the Waikato River was diverted. For immediate relief the only solut ion was the pushing ahead with the erection of tho generating plant at Penrose. Mr. Holdsworth tabled a report urging increased activity by the Government on all its undertakings in order that relief might be afforded the board at the earliest possible moment. Assistance From Penrose. Mr. E. H. Potter said the only thing the board could do was to press its case. The board fully endorsed Mr. Holdsworth's observations in regard to tho urgency work. The members realised that if the Government would make sufficient effort it would be able to complete the powerhouse at Arapuni within the next twelve months. If it could not complete the undertaking within that time, then it should liave the Diesel plant at Penrose ready to assist the board. Mr. T. Bloodworth: What is the output of the three sets at Penrose? The chairman: Only 4000 kw. Mr. S. Harbutt: "We cannot stress the importance of this matter too greatly and let it be widely known. No doubt we are going to be jammed this winter, and we are going to have a worse experience than we did in the first year of our existence." He urged that a deputation should wait upon tho Minister of Public Works (Hon. K. S. Williams), or the Prime Minister (Hon. J. G. Coates), with a view to making representations to them along the lines suggested. The position was increasingly acute in view of the fact that Horatiora was likely to be shut down altogether when the Waikato ' flooded, and brought down additional ' quantities of pumice. ; A Serious Position. Tho chairman intimated that ho would 1 be in Wellington in the middle of the * month and he was prepared to make the 1 desired representations to the proper f quarter then. "I think the position is of 1 sufficient importance to throw all the ' weight we can into the matter. Unless every effort is made tho position will be * serious," he added. c Mr. S. I. Crookes said that It could not j bo too strongly impressed upon the authorities that last winter the board ( exceeded its normal capacity. "What is £ going to be the position next winter!" t he asked. "It is very difficult to realise. s Last year we reached 27,117 kw., and our j normal capacity is only 26,000 kw." The position, he predicted, was going to be more acute during the coming winter with the possibility of further shutting down of Horahora. The board could not be too emphatic in its representations to the Government for, in addition to over £1,000,000 in money lying idle as the result of the uncompleted Arapuni undertaking, they had the local disadvantages staring them in the face. The chairman pointed out that, in addition to prospects of being thrown on their own resources next winter, they would have demands from the Otahuhu railway workshops for 1500 kw. of power, and other industries wanting 480 kw. The increase in the city's building programme would also mean a big demand. What was so annoying about the position was that while the board was controlling the power supply problem it had ample to carry on with, but now it had come to a dead end. He was confident that if representations were made to the authorities that they must be impressed of the fact that the position was extraordinary, and they should not carry on and jog along in the same old way.

Mr. M. J. Bennett and Mr. T. Bloodworth also urged the necessity for action. The latter spoke of the little activity that was apparent at Arapuni and the absence of workmen from there. There must be quite a lot of work on the undertaking before work was actually commenced on the powerhouse. It was ultimately agreed te forward the chairman's report on to the Government, and that Mr. Holdsworth should make representations in regard to the power question to the Minister of Public Works or the Prime Minister when in Wellington.