ELECTRICITY FOR THE NORTH

Northern Advocate, 11 June 1931, Page 4

ELECTRICITY FOR THE NORTH

But for the unfortunate breakdown at the Arapuni hydro-elec-tric poAver station, the North Auckland Electric PoAver Board’s district Avould by this time probably have been Avell on the Avay to its goal. Arapuni’s collapse, and the uncertainty regarding the future of the big undertaking. threAv into disorder the board’s plans, and there Avas no course open but to go into recess. As a consequence, the large area anxiously aAvaiting the boon provided by electricity has been handicapped. The outlook has cleared considerably during the immediate past, and there seems to be justification for a step forward by the board. Unless something unforseeu happens, there should .be available an ample and reliable supply of electricity. Not only is it expected that Arapuni will be put into operation in a comparatively short time, but the Auckland Electric Poavci* Board, Avhich ordered new plant Avhen the national disaster occurred, is non - in a position to supply probably more than northern require-! mciits. The capacity of the steam turbine, together with other extensions to the station, is such that the King’s Wharf plant has been increased by 15,000 kilowatts. The board has undertaken to feed back poAver to the national system as required, and. by this arrangement, the greatest use can be made of the combined Arapuni and King’s Wharf

plants.' These facts suggest'the advisability of renewed effort toj bring electi’icity to the North, j We are aware of the difficulties— 1 almost as formidable as was the lack of electric power caused by Arapuui’s breakdown —that have arisen since the board went into recess, but, in spite of that, wo believe the North Auckland Power Board would be acting wisely if it took the steps preliminary to renewed activity.