Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY JANUARY 16 1925. POWER BOARD’S SCHEME.

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 January 1925, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY JANUARY 16 1925. POWER BOARD’S SCHEME.

The announcement, to-day, by Mr. TI. F. Doogan, chairman of the Grey Electric Power Board, that authority has been given by the Minister to proceed with the steam-power scheme, should be accepted by the whole community as the final word on the recent controversy, and all should now cooperate to make the project as successful as possible. No useful purpose is served by maintaining at the present juncture, a hostile attitude to the Board, and the Ministerial verdict should be accepted with true sportsmanship by the “defeated” party. Each side has had its fair share of publicity, and it was found by the unbiased mind, that they had a lot in common in their views. The real issue was not the relative advantages of hydro and steam, but what was best for this district taking into consideration the probable expenditure and revenues. The principle of a hydro supply was upheld by a majority, including the and when the loan proposals were laid before the electors, it was generally believed that the Lake Arnold scheme was being relied on. Unfortunately, this project which had met with general approval, was found to be impracticable, except at a cost beyond the area’s requirements. It then became the duty of the Board to propose a substitute scheme, and somewhat courageously it turned from hydro-supply, and recommended the Dobson steam-plant, leaving a future generation to go in for a large and costly hydroscheme, if circumstances justified. This . development naturally aroused criticism, but as the subject matter was very technical, most of the ensuing debate was confined to experts and others who claimed to know. Our morning contemporary and Mr. J. O’Brien M.P. disclosed unsuspected enthusiasm for a hydro-scheme, and with the aid of those who agreed with them, took such action as to bring the whole matter again before the Minister (Hon. J. G. Coates) and Mr. F. W. Furkert (Chief Engineer). A petition was presented asking the Minister to prevent the Board proceeding with the Dobson scheme, and the Minister temporarily withheld the license, until adequate investigations were made. The Minister has now given his award in favour of the Board, and the work of installing a steamplant at Dobson will be expedited/ We have summarised briefly the history of the electricity supply scheme to show that whatever future results may be, the Board is not rushing in? where it should fear to tread. Ratepayers need not be anxious that any advantage is being taken of their lack of technical knowledge, and that such ignorance will expose them to financial liabilities later. The

Board’s proposals have been given jjpecial scrutiny by impartial official experts, and a vigorous opposition has revealed any weak spots, thus, it cannot be claimed that the Board is acting imprudently. The duty’ now of the community is. to forget former differences of opinion, and. to sink personal preferences, .! if necessary, so that the Grey power scheme may be profitable to all concerned. It is unnecessary to recapitulate the benefits available from electric power supply, or to emphasise that no district can hope to progress without utilising modern methods. There is no reason to suppose that Grey will have a less happy experience with its power than have other isimilar areas. Rural dwellers, particularly the womenfolk, should find their work much easier through electricity’s aid, and their only regret will be that it was not available, earlier. Those who continue to ’ oppose actively the Dobson steam-plant should be given little encouragement, as obviously they are either too prejudiced to be just," or inferentially are claiming to be more “expert” than Mr. Furkert who has approved the scheme as being best for Grey’s present requirements.