WAIKAREMOANA.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 177, 11 July 1912, Page 3

WAIKAREMOANA.

AS THE GENERATOR OF ELECTRICITY.

MR. EVAN PARRY’S REPORT

Captain Pret't’c, of Palmerston North, ha* published some interesting information regarding the possibilities of Waikaremoana as a source of electrical supply’ for reticulating practically the whole of that portion of the North Island lying between Gisborne and Wellington. His previous articles commented on the advantages of utilising the power of this lake and he now gives a few extracts from the preliminary report, of Mr. Evan Parry, the Government electrical engineer, and the debate thereon during the late session of Parliament will be interesting to our readers. The following are the most important items which we publish for general information. In considering the question of the supply’ of electricity’ in bulk to the towns and districts in the North Island, it is necessary in the interests of each to take a comprehensive view of the subject in order to determine that system of grouping which will evolve the least expenditure of capital and which results in the greatest economy. There are towns so situated that, even when grouped together, do not justify a water-power undertaking, either because the load is not big enough, Oven in the aggregate. or because the nearest available source is expensive to develop, or for both reasons ; in such cases the citizens would best serve their own interests by adopting gas, steam, or oil as motive power for their own electricity supply.” “On the other hand, if a more comprehen-

sive view were taken of the question it is quite possible that by grouping the districts ,so making a larger group, a scheme might be evolved which will result in the common interest, and each group .sub-group, town, and individual will get a cheaper supply’ than they otherwise would be able to obtain. Such a result can only be brought about by the agency’ of some central authority , and in my present investigation, my 7 aim is to discover the best system of grouping, having regard to the population as a whole.” “It is further necessary to bear in mind the? question of railway’ electrification, the solution of which is largely dependent upon the facility’ with which a supply can be obtained along the line or route.” “Considering the principal geographical divisions of the North Island, and taking first the Auckland district .this might be served from the Huka Falls, Kaituna, or from Waikaremoana, depending on the nature and character of ths permanent works at the two former; in any’ case, this district stands by itself, and there is no advantage in grouping it with any 7 other district. Next, as regards the Taranaki and Wanginui districts, these might be served from a local source, or they might with advantage be grouped with the Wellington district. Next, as regards Hawke’s Bay district, the demand here is comparatively limited in quantity, and an independent supply for this district might not be justifiable, in which

ease it would be an advantage to group it with Wellington district. As regards Wellington and district, this may be supplied from a local source, or a more distant source may be determined ; in connection therewith I have investigated two possible sources of supply; namely, the Hute river and Waikaremoana.” ‘‘First, as regards the characteristics of Wa’ikaremoana: the lake is an ideal one from *a power, point of view. There is abundant natural storage, and a head of 700 feet is available, without long flumes or tunnel, and with the utmost minimum of works and expenditure on headworks and pipe-line. Under these conditions there is 40,000 horse-power available at all times, and the storage is such that 40,000 horse-power could be obtainable continuously, day and night, for twenty-one months, assuming that not a drop of rain fell during the whole period, or the supply replenished in any way. Having regard to the growth of the demand for electricity in Wellington, and the •cquirements of other districts within the limits of an economical supply from the Hutt river, I find that 10,000 kilowatts to be the size to be kept in view in designing the headworks, with a more immediate prospect of a demand of 5000 kilowatts hi. sav. five years from the present time.' The 10,000 kilowatts happens also to be about the limit of the Hutt river without involving abnormal expe’idit.ure.” ‘‘Taking 10,000 kilowatts as a basis ,the question arists whether, all things considered, it is better to supply Wellington from the Hutt river, or from Waikaremoana. or from some other source. A final conclusion can only be reached after examination into other numerous sources of supply, but, considering these two sources only for a moment, the result of my investigation, so far as it has gone .can be summarised in a few words. A supply of 10.000 kilowatts could be delivered to Wellington for about the same price, and the same capital expenditure from Waikaremoana as from the Hutt river. Inasmuch, however, as Wellington .will not require 10,000 kilowatts for some years, but is likely to require 5000 kilowatts in. say. five years’ time, then a supply of 5000 kilowatts could be given at the same rate as the larger supply of 10.000 kilowatts, if the balance of 5000 kilowatts be disposed of on the wav. The principal towns to be sup- | plied under this system of grouping [are Gisborne. Hastings, Napier. Ori mondviile. Dannevirke. M oodville. i Palmerston, Feilcling. Pahiatv.a. I Eketahuna. Masterton, Carterton. 'and the Hutt Valley. Whether this jis the best system of grouping rej mains to be ’ seen after the other ‘sources of power have been investi- [ gated and other groupings tried, i These further investigations are pro- ) reeding, and will be carried out with ; -is little delay as possible, not only I with respect to Wellington and the Liistriet mentioned .but also with j respect to Auckland and the Taranaki anti Wanganui districts.-Lvan Parry, electrical engineer. During the debate <>n the above report in the l:i"t session o! 1 nr.ia nient. the Hon. R. McKenzie saul : ■•He might say. they had not gone

into the question of when electricity could be supplied to Wellington from WaikarenlOaha ; but he had visited the place on two occasions within the last twelve or sixteen months, and he would say from his knowledge of the country and the works to be established, if these were taken in hand immediately, it was quite possible to supply 7 Wellington in three years from Waikaremoana. He might add that if he had anything to do with the Waikaremoana scheme, it would be started before long.” We have for some years advocated ths utilisation of the power of Lake Waikaremoana for motive power, and lighting and working a part of our railway- system. An opportunity occurs now for electrifying a section of the railways, the East Coast Trunk Railway 7 is being proceeded with in several places, and if the work was started at Wairoa, working north and south, this portion could be run by electricity from the commencement, if the headworks of the proposed Waikaremoana scheme were put in hand at once. This is a great national undertaking, and we hope that members of Parliament of all shades of politics will unite in supporting it. We are convinced that if it is undertaken it will result in a supply of cheap electric power for, at anyrate, the whole of the southern part of the North Island, and industries will spring up that are not even thought of now. A kilowatt represents about 1-| b.h.p.