N.Z. ELECTRIFICATION EXCELLING U.S.A. RAPID PROGRESS

Grey River Argus, 27 September 1949, Page 7

N.Z. ELECTRIFICATION EXCELLING U.S.A. RAPID PROGRESS

WELLINGTON .Sept. 26

Mr A. E. Davenport, general manager of the State Hydro-electric Department, told to-day’s combined conference of secretaries and engineers of New Zealand power boards and supply authorities, that the Dominion is becoming a more highlyelectrified country than the United States. He made the following announcements:

Tenders for the supply of electrical and mechanical plant for Roxburgh, Otago, are to be called, probably this week.

Work at Pukaki is proceeding at such a rate that extra water will be stored in the lake for next year’s generation.

It is hoped to instal the first generating machine at Maraetai in 1951. The construction of the Whakamaru station on the Waikato would be gone ahead with and tenders would be called shortly.

During the next nine years the construction of transmission facilities and sub-stations would involve an expenditure of £20,000,000.

“For the future we must avoid any additions of steam-power to the generating capacity of New Zealand, unless and until it is absolutely unavoidable,” said Mr Davenport. “It is a last resort, not a first." This remark followed an explanation of the revenue sources of the department and the high cost of steam generation.