POWER FOR COAST: MINISTER EXPECTS 18 MONTHS' DELAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23116, 1 December 1949, Page 6

POWER FOR COAST: MINISTER EXPECTS 18 MONTHS' DELAY

The Minister of Works, Mr. R. Semple, does not foresee an early start on the extension of electric-power to the East Coast area, according to advice he has given to the Uawa County Council in reply to representations made in March of this year. So serious had the situation of the Tolaga Bay township then become, in relation to its own power supply, that a deputation was sent to Wellington to put the matter before the Minister, with a request that steps be taken to speed up the provision of State hydro-electric power for the East Coast, and particularly to relieve the position in Tolaga Bay. The deputation described the difficulty found by the Uawa CountyCouncil in keeping the existing plant in operation, and invoked the sympathy of Mr. Semple. In a letter dated October 27 Mr. Semple has recalled the representations made to him by the deputation. "I have had the position looked into thoroughly, and the principal fact that emerges is that the inclusion of Tolaga Bay within the entire scheme for the reticulation of the East Coast should not unduly delay a supply being given by the Poverty Bay Electric-Power Board to Tolaga Bay,” he comments. •'One fact that cannot be dismissed is that the Power Board is committed to reticulate the Tiniroto district, and has commenced the work. This extension is quite a big undertaking especially in view of the shortages which still exist in certain line materials, and I understand that until it is completed no other major line construction could be undertaken. “Provided there is a reasonably continuous (low of materials the Tiniroto extension may be finalised in about 13 months, and this fixes the earliest date that the East Coast reticulation could be commenced. “It would also take about 13 months for the Power Board to survey and cancass the East Coast, and to put its loan proposals before the ratepayers. “If, therefore, these preliminaries are put in hand now. and the loan proposals are approved by the ratepayers, the board may then be in a position to commence the work following the completion of the Tiniroto extension. “So far as concerns the condition of your own plant I had hoped that a suitable small plant might be located and made available to your council: but I regret that this has not proved to be possible.’’