The Need Is Urgent: The Time Is Right

Northern Advocate, 29 June 1944, Page 4

The Need Is Urgent: The Time Is Right

(Special) KAIKOHE. This Day “The power can be developed at a Very economical cost, the woiks can be erected quickly, and the nature of the site is sucli as will ensure depend-

ability of supply in the North.” The consulting engineer (Mr. L. Mandeno) thus expressed his confidence in the possibilities ol the Lake Omapere electric power development scheme in his lengthy report to the Bay of Islands Power Board yesterday.

"For Inc pm pose of ensuring adequate and reasonable security in the continuity of supply to this district,’’ he continued, "the development of Lake Omapere is a more economic proposal than the’alternative of increasing the number and capac of transmission circuits into the district from the Auckland metropolitan centre's of distribution.” Present Time is Appropriate Discussing whether the present . time would be appropriate for development of the scheme, ho said he considered the beard would be well advised to complete arrangements so as to lie in a position as early as possible to make a start on the work, “All authorities.” Mr. Mandeno stated, “agree that the amount of generating plant available in the North Island will, for a considerable period ahead, be inadequate to meet demands for power or to provide a satisfactory margin ol reserve capacity. “The nature of the work at Lake Omapeiv is such that the scheme can be pushed through expeditiously. Thus, immedi ate relief could be obtained from the present shortage as soon as the plant can be completed. For ail time ariev that, the plant would justify itself because it can make power available in the district at a lower cost than it can be generated in the Waikato Basin, and then transmitted 300 miles northwards. Cement Bottleneck Avoided

“Cue ol’ the bottlenecks." Mr. Mandeno went on, “in connection with the completion of the large Waikaio scheme at present is shortage of cement, but the Omapere proposal would involve use of only a limited quantity of cement. One of the major features of Hie scheme is

the construction of an earth dam. for which job there are contractors ready to quote favourably. No tunnelling work, which in many eases sets a decided limit to the rate of progress possible, is contemplated. “In regard to the supply of materials from overseas, there are already signs of a definite improvement. Principal item ol imported material would be steel plate for the penstock lines. Whereas, 18 months ago. this material was practically unobtainable. and was selling at almost £4O per ton, it is now readily available from Australia at £2O per ton. There has also been a spectacular drop in the price of aluminium cable, for which quick delivery is now indicated. Plant More Readily Obtainable

“An improvement may be anticipated in the time of manufacture of generating plant. Even under present conditions, some manufacturers anticipate giving delivery of the necessary plant within 15 to 18 months, given official support. Then, arc a great number of inanufaeimors prepared to undertake construction c.-t much ines of the size required for Omapere. who are not in a position to undertake construction of the much larger units now on order or projected for the main Gov. eminent stations.

“It is reasonable to anticipate, therefore, that the electrical machinery would become available for Omapere as soon as the civil engineering development can bo got under way and completed in readiness for reception of the generating planl."