WATER AND POWER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 121, 16 February 1920, Page 8

WATER AND POWER

COLONEL MITCHELL'S VIEWS MANGAHAO SCHEME INADEQUATE SUPPLEMENTARY SOURCE REQUIRED Tho necessity for energetic action in relation to water power development was omphasisod on Saturday by Colonel Mitchell, M.P., secretary of the Progress League. "Two outstanding and inlineSinto requirements of our city and tho U'ult Valley," he said, "arcliydro-elcc-cric power and water supply. As regards tho former the whole district shares wiih us the demand for the immediate development of the great water powers now running to waste. At the present moment one sonrco of supply— the Mangahao—is being developed, which will be available for use throughout our province. But the people should bo impressed with two very vital facts:— 1. That unless very energetic measures 'Aro adopted the Mangahao power will not be available for some years. 2. That when it is fully developed, the ✓.mount available will not nearly meet tho requirements of our city and district. "It is estimated that the present requirements of the lower half of tho North Island, not including Hawke's Bay, is nearly 40,000 h.p., and if power were used for domestic purposes generally, nearly double that amount. Wo know also that industries will follow hnrd on the heels of cheap hydro-elec-tric power. It cannot precede it. Let us realise the progress, prosperity and happiness which such power will bring to every home. Our probable allocation of power from Mangahao, about 17,000 h.p., will not meet the present requirements of Wellington and-the Ilutt Valley, leaving nothing for future development. It is merely going to whet, tho appetite and stimulate tho demand for more power. ' "Where is it to come from?" asked Colonel Mitchell. "There are among others, two outstanding sources available —Waikaremoana and the Hutt River. The Government proposes to develop the former some day, but it is not reasonable to expect this at an early date. Plana and estimates wore prepared some time ago for the Hutt River, but the Government decided to go on with Mangahao. These plans and estimates are available In the Parliamentary Reports. According to them the Hutt River scheme will develop from 15,000 to 20,000 h.p., at an estimated cost of not more than }d. per unit delivered in Wellington. It should certainly not bo more than the Mangahao power. This would mean a very great reduction on present rate of steam generated power. The cost to the city last year in fuel alone for about 9000 h.p. generated electric light and tramways power was .£55,698, representing probably 28,000 tons of coal which would be liberated for domestic purposes. , "If a power board wore formed and <he work energetically pushed on, there is every reason to believe that power from the Hutt River will bo delivered in Wellington as soon as, if not before, that from Mangahao. This would satisfy the requirements of our city and district until tho Waikaremoana was developed. This would not be any clashing of interests between the itangahao and tho Hutt River scheme. All the power from both sources would bo eagerly sought as soon as available. "Incidental to the development _ of power this work would supply Wellington and the Hutt Valley with 80 gallons of water per head per day for over a million people. ! It would provide « lake four miles long with long winding arms amidst, beautiful scenery. This would be one of the finest boating an.', scenic resorts in the Dominion. What great valup alona this would be to AVellington! "The league proposes to set up a representative committee to go into the, plans and figures available, and to consult local bodies concerned throughout the district, the outcome of which we liopo will be the formation of a power board to undertake the immediate development ofithis work, which we believo to lie very urgent and which will be » boon and blessing to our city and province. In conclusion allow me to state that the above figures are bused on the reports of expert engineers, published in tho Parliamentary papers for 1901 and 1910."