POWER SCHEME INQUIRIES

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 30 July 1931, Page 4

POWER SCHEME INQUIRIES

EXPERT’S INVESTIGATION. WANTED £4OOO FOR REPORT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 29. Reference to the visit of the eminent European engineer, Professor Hornell, to New Zealand in connection with the Arapuni electricity scheme and his visit to the Waitaki scheme was made in the House of Representatives to-day. Replying to Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont), the Hon. W. B. Taverner, Minister of Public Works, said Professor Hornell had paid a short visit to Waitaki and on his return to Wellington had discussed a scheme with the Minister. It was not considered necessary to incur the expense of a detailed report. Mr R. Semple (Labour, Wellington East) suggested that Professor Hornell had offered to supply a report provided he was treated “in the same liberal manner” as in the case of the Arapuni report. Mr Semple asked whether Professor Hornell had wanted another £3OOO or £4OOO for a report on Waitaki.

Mr Taverner said that on two occasions he had informed the House he had made no arrangements with Professor Hornell to prepare a report on the Waitaki scheme. The professor had visited the works early in October with the chief engineer and Government geologist and on his return to Wellington had discussed with the Minister certain aspects of the work. He had made suggestions of a more oi’ less minor character relating to the cut-off wall, drainage system and other technical matters. The professor had been prepared to .make a report on Waitaki for a similar fee to that paid him in respect of Arapuni, but in addition made certain stipulations which were not acceptable to the Government. He had not been invited to report on Waitaki. Mr Semple: “He did want payment ? ’ ’ Mr Taverner: “He wanted £4OOO for reporting on Waitaki, but he was not engaged.” The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, referred during the debate on imprest supply to-night to Mr Semple ’s criticism of Professor Hornell. He said Mr Semple seemed greatly perturbed because Professor Hornell had asked £4OOO for a report, but some years ago the Christchurch City Council had paid £IO,OOO for a report on the Waimakariri power scheme. Professor Hornell was a man with great experience in hydro-electric work and had been taken* away from his private business for xnahy months. Mr Semple: “Why would you not pay £4OOO for a report on Waitaki?” Mr Forbes: “Mr Semple does not seem to realise Waitaki is different from Arapuni. I would remind him Waitaki is in the South Island and is not in the area of volcanic rock. The South Island is on a very sound foundation! ’ ’ Mr Forbes added that in obtaining its report on Arapuni the Government had secured the best, talent available, and the report had given a measure of reassurance to the people in the vicinity.