BULK ELECTRIC SUPPLY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 21 May 1936, Page 6

BULK ELECTRIC SUPPLY

POWER BOARD MAY INSTALL DIESEL

NO GOVERNMENT DECISION YET

The chairman of the Waimea Electric Power Board (Mr E. W. Greenslade) yesterday reported to the Board on his action in attempting to secure an early decision from the Government on the question of hulk supply. There had been no reply from the Government for a long time, and on 4th May lie had sent a telegram to Mr H. Atmore M.P., saying that the position had become desperate owing to a break in the daln at Brightwater and numerous complaints. A telegram, received during the meeting from the Minister of Public Works was read stating that the Minister of Finance and he had had a conference with Mr Strand who was to submit further information regarding the subsidiary company. This information had now come to hand and the matter would be finalised one way or another very shortly.

Mr Greenslade referred to the unsatisfactory position, stating that the Government “was feeding them on sop.” Tho position was acute. They could place no reliance on Nelson City which was going to have an acute shortage and would probably have to extend its own plant. It was a question whether the Board should go into the matter of a Diesel plant, Mr R. J. L. York said that the Board had waited for the Hume Pipe Company for three years and the Government had apparently had to wait for the company too, but was evidently doing its best to reach finality. iMr W. Max considered that even today he was convinced that the subsidiary company was not formed. It was resolved on the motion of Mr L. A. Higgins that the engineer report as soon as possible on the question of a Diesel engine for additional supply, and that if necessary a special meeting of the Board be held to consider the matter>