PROGRESS AT ROXBURGH

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27634, 15 April 1955, Page 14

PROGRESS AT ROXBURGH

MR J. RAE REPORTS ON VISIT POWER CUTS EXPECTED TO BE SHORT (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, April 14. “After seeing the progress at Roxburgh I am satisfied that the restrictions are going to be of short duration,” said Mr J. Rae (Government, Roskill), replying to comments on power restrictions in Christchurch and the South Island when he spoke in the Address-in-Reply debate today in the House of Representatives. His third visit to Roxburgh was paid only last month, said Mr Rae. Construction was going ahead splendidly. Every part of the programme was up to schedule, and power would be produced from the station next year. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) commented that the Government had changed the contract at Roxburgh. The Gov - -ment would have to pay a consider le sum in bonuses to the contractors for completion of work before the target dates, said Mr Rae. Mr Nash: Plus £1,000,000 extra. Mr Rae recalled the power shortages in the North Island. While Queen street, Auckland, was like a dark cave at night, Christchurch was bright with lights, he said. Mr H. G. R. Mason (Opposition, Waitakere): It is the reverse in Christchurch now—power cuts and so on. “Christchurch was a picture at Easter time.” said Mr C. G. E. Harker (Government, Hawke’s Bay).