Need For Standby Power Plant On Coast Stressed

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 October 1949, Page 8

Need For Standby Power Plant On Coast Stressed

Feeling that it was unlikely that the American hydro expert, Dr J. L. Savage, would find time while investigating Government hydro projects in New Zealand, to examine the Toaharoa scheme, in the Hokitika valley, the Westland Progress League last evening decided to urge the Government to state whether any provision was being made for a stand-by plant on the West Coast. Answering the league’s inquiry concerning the hydro expert (who arrived in New, Zealand yesterday), the Minister-in-charge of the State Hydro Department, Mr R. Semple, pointed out that Dr Savage was a consultant engineer in private practice. He would be in New Zealand for six weeks to report to the Government on hydro-electric schemes either in the course of construction or proposed to be constructed, and his time would be fully occupied on his Government assignment. The Minister indicated, however, that if the League wished to communicate with Dr Savage privately it could do so.

It was suggested by a member that the Minister be asked to make available to Dr-Savage an old report made on the Toaharoa scheme, with the suggestion that he consider whether it was worth-while to inspect the proposition more thoroughly. After it had been pointed out that it had been stated that small schemes would no longer be considered, Mr W. D. Taylor suggested that as Dr Savage’s time was so fully occupied the league would be wiser to forget him.

“We could ask the Minister to consider former reports to see whether it was worth-while to place the matter before Dr Savage,” said Mr J. Saunders. He added that it was stated at the recent conference of power authorities that more hydro schemes were required in New Zealand.

The predicament in which West Coast industry would be placed in the event of a break of any length in the line carrying power from the South Island grid was stressed, and the need for an adequate stand-by plant in the area was discussed. The league finally decided to ask the Minister what consideration was being given to the provision of anadequate stand-by plant on the West Coast in order to maintain industry in case the lines from Canterbury were out of order.