READY WAITING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 182, 3 August 1932, Page 8

READY WAITING.

KING'S WHARF PLANT.

POSITION OF POWER BOARD.

"NO OFFICIAL INFORMATION."

"We have received nothing official from Arapuni," eaid Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, chairman of the Auckland Electric Power Board, this morning, "but unofficially we have been asked to be ready to com'e in with the King's wharf plant when requested. Ever since the restoration of Arapuni we have been doing work at King's wharf station, preparing it to lie idle and placing it in such a state that it could be brought ill quickly if ever the call came."

"We are practically ready now to raiee eteam," eaid Mr. R. H. Bartley, general manager of the board, who was with Mr. Holdsworth. "If we get word this morning that King's wharf plant is required we can be in full working by 3 p.m. We are now filling the bunkers with coal and do not anticipate any trouble in respect to supplies should we have to work the plant for any length of time. We have a month's supply of coal in sight now, and the original contract, which was made when Arapuni was being repaired, still holds, so that users of power need have no apprehensions that there will be a shortage."

"This is another illustration of the wisdom of the board's policy in having King's wharf station so well equipped," eaid Mr. Holdeworth. "Its capacity is 41,500 k.w., sufficient to keep not only our own area, but the areas of adjacent boards supplied with, current should Arapuni be closed down. We have always arranged matters so that the station could b"e operated at short notice, in order that industries and public services may be maintained with the minimum of inconvenience."

Asked what would be the position in the-event-of-Arapuni being abandoned, Mr. Holdsworth said he did not like to consider such a national calamity. It would mean the alteration of the whole policy of :the: board. The steam station would have to-be strengthened by the purchase of plant sufficient to generate electricity for all- present and future requirements. . .