ELECTRIC POWER

Gisborne Times, Volume LXII, Issue 9947, 26 February 1925, Page 6

ELECTRIC POWER

'SPECIAL MEETING OF POWER BOARD.

ANSWERS TO BOROUGH COUNCIL

'PROBABLE DECISION ON SOURCE ON MARCH 11.

Questions submitted bv a Borough Council deputation with the idea ut iurfcliering negotiations between the Council and' Lower Board tor the purchase of the municipal power plant, and to- enlighten the Council as to the source, cost and time when iiyuro e.ectr:c power would be avalable, were .considered by the Power Beard at a special meeting yesterday. There were present Messrs F. 1C Dali (Chairman), G. Wildish, G. IT. Bridge, A. C. Steele, T. Tocld, C.H. Williams, T. Corson. • The Board’s consulting engineer.. .Mr 11. F. Toogoud, was also present. Mr Toogood informed .the meeting that he and Professor Speight had inspected the site of the proposed Motu river diversion scheme and also the locality of the proposed diversion tunnel Close investigation of the locality had been made by Professor Speight, and he was now going over the country again to check his figures and conclusions made at the first examination. Professor Speight liopod to return to Gisborne that evening

ancl would probably submit bis report to the Board the -following*morning. On the return trip it- was proposed to inspect and report on Te Reir.ga falls, and he was sure Professor Speight would willingly assist in this wor'e Power from the falls was pendent cn the geological formation and in this connection Professor Sp?.: gut's opinion would be of great assistance.

Replying to the question Mr Toogood stated that the whole of the reports and data would be available bv March 11, and it was decided To call tiso next meeting for that day. The Board then went into committee to discuss answers to the Borough Council’s ones Cons with the eniduocr, and on lcsimviig in open Beard the following answers were

given:— (0) Witat is the- earliest date tlmu bulk current will be available in the 1 (V) if a local scheme is adopted, power would possibly be available ju three years. Wniknremoaua power is eont'nger.t upon the Government 1928 being the earliest date for which power I'rcm that source is promised. (Q) What amount c>f current w.U the hoard have for sale? (A) The Board will have amp e current for n~l requirements. From any scheme it is essential to sell as much newer as possible. (Q) From what source will current bo obtained v ~ , (A) The source is to lv> cons.dered at tlie next meet Tig o? the Board on 'March 11. when it is hoped that a dee-sun will he reached ({Vi At what rate would tne Gounc.l have, to pay for bulk current? (A', The borough would have to pay CIA per k.v.a. maximum demand. the V.ereiu-li to guaiantee 700 k.v.a. mininura for t.wo years and increase Sl t the rate of 10 per cent, per annum tip to five years, over 700 y-v.n. •ni'x'ii'.iim demand the ’-ate per k.v.a. (o the Borough Coune I would bo roc'u”c(l accct'ding’v as results justify. '((>•• Mi llie event of the Council sc - nuf to the Board, at what rates would the Beard retail .the current to the (A) impossible to state tne exact figures, but certainly cheaper than the present rate. ' , , ~ ((.)) Would the Board take over the Council’s electric light ] oan n ! re “ duct ion for payment or the works. (A) A financial question, but the Board would -be willing to do so T ! J (0) ) Would the Board agree to allow the Council to obtain current for then' undertakings at the same rate as pa d until the hydro electric undertakings arc completed, after which a reduction would be expected t . (A) The Board does not rut cipate mis'iig the rates, but a definite answer cannot be given until the consul tin ff engineer has conferred with the borough electrical engineer as regard costs. It was stated that the answers to all questions were contingent on the loan being carried. The chairman laised the question as to whether it would not be advisable to forward the answers to the Borough (Journal first before giving them to the press. It wou’cl be a matter of courtesy. . Mr Corson concurred that the Borough Council should receive the answers first before publication, but Afr WTc!isb contended that the information should be given to utc public, and on his motion it was decided to give the answers to tlie press. In proposing that the Board approves of a conference between the borough electrical engineer and the Board’s consulting engineer in regard to proposed additions to the Borough plant. Mr Williams said that it was e'sential for the two engineers to meet and discuss the s zc arid type of engines it was advisable to instal. The motion was seconded by Mr Wdd'sh. who said that the electrical engineer *was ut the service of the Beard for the conference. He desired to stress the urgent need for the installation of an extra unit at the power house at the earliest poss’hlc date. If the Board took over the power plant they would have to take over the extra expense for new machinery, but the pos'.t’on was now that the Borough Council cou.cl not stand aside for three years .to wait f'w the advent of hydro ele'-tr.c-itv. The unit would be ordered as sc'-n as possible. The motion was earned. The consulting engineer was instrueßd that he could engage men to have lb« ne-esary fie’d work earned out at Te Beinga*, members being oT the opinion that a thorough investigation sb'ui’d he made. Mr Toogood said that lie d d not Hiink there were any more schemes fur invest’gut'nn in the distret. Mr Steele: Have you seen tlie Re re falls? Mr Teogood : No; where are they? Air Bridge: About 10 miles past Ngatapn.