’QUAKE RISK

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11767, 14 October 1932, Page 3

’QUAKE RISK

DOMINION’S HA DRO-ELECTKIC

WORKS

Earthquakes and their likely clleet upon New Zealand's larger hydroelectric schemes were discussed by Mr. E. Hitchcock, of Christchurch, in his presidential address to the Electrical Supply Authorities’ Association.

••It is probable that unpalatable as it may be, lliu undoubted leality of earthquake risk may have a pronounced influence 011 the luture of electrical supply hi New Zealand, said Mr. Hitchcock. 'ulydro-electnc

plants may be no mure liable t'J damage than arc steam plants, but there can lie mi question that the nature of the damage in the case u i hydro plants is liable .jo he much mere extensile and much mure costly in repair.

•‘Badly as a steam plant may he damaged* by an earthquake, a boilei under steam may in such a catastrophe. be less potentially dangerous •than an artificial lake. Further, earthquake risk is an argument against the centralised control from large capacity plants, ami strengthens the case for decentralised supply from independent sources. One or two earthquake experiences may speak louder than economies. Ihe homely common-souse nisdom ol having fewer eggs per basket, and more baskets more widely distributed, may prove difficult to question in its influence upon future supply. ’