HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17256, 4 September 1919, Page 8

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER

KING COUNTRY SUPPLY. WAIRERE 'FALLS SCHEME. PROMISING PROSPECTS. [by tixegbaph.—own CORRESPONDENT.] TE KUTTI, Wednesday. In connection with hydro-electric power schemes, Mr. L. Birks, chief engineer of the Public Works Department, was taken yesterday to see the Wairere Falls, between Piopio and Aria, and distant about eighteen miles from Te Kuiti. Mr. Birks was most favourably impressed with what he saw, and it ib now practically certain that a scheme will be proceeded with here which will have the effect of supplying a surplus for use in connection with the Horahora scheme, and in addition to it. Mr. Birks met representatives of the local bodies in conference. He stated that Mr. Climie, civil engineer, estimated the horse-power available from the Wairere source at 1200. Even if the Wairere plant cost £30,000 or so, it would justify itself over and over again. As to actual revenue, the local authority would go into that carefully and fix its charge accordingly. He was not going to advise them to put in a Wairere plant. An engineer could report on that. If that were done, however, he would consider it practical to link up with Horahora. Both plants could help each other substantially. In the end he looked forward to the whole o' the North Island being connected, and a man, say, at Taihspe, would control the whole system, apd he would decide what power stations would close or open. Mr. Binks said that the Horahora plant could not supply power beyond Te Awamutu or Otorohanga at the furthest. The TeKuiti Borough Council's plant was excellent, but it was totally inadequate for the larger job. It was only for town supply- It would not send power 20 miles out. * If the local authority installed a plant at Wairere, asked Mr. Wall, would it do until the larger schemes were linked up ?

Mr. Birks : Yes.

Mr. Wall : If we had any surplus power we could sell to Horahora, and vice versa. Mr. Birks : Yes.

Replying to Mr. Mostyn Jones, Mr. Kirks said the Wairere power could cover a twenty-mile radius. He would take two routes to Te Kuiti to pick up business all the way. Another would go through Aria and one would go south to Mahoenui, making four. Mr. A. L. Stedman : We could take it for granted that if we go on with Wairere we could link up with Horahora ? Mr. Birks: Yes, certainly, we would be most desirous of coming south to moH your lines.

Mr. Stedman proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Birks for his visit. They mus>> have a public meeting to get the scheme going. (Hear, hear.) A leoatation from the meeting should wait on the Waitomo County Council and Borough Council in order to take action without delay. That meeting was one of the most important ever held in Te Kuiti, and th* progress of the town and district would be bound up with the scheme. The motion was carried, and a committee consisting of Messrs. Stedman, Jones, and Hamill, was set up to further Ue scheme. Mr. Birks left for Wellington in the evening.