POWER FROM HORAHORA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17270, 20 September 1919, Page 9

POWER FROM HORAHORA

CAPACITY OF PRESENT PLANT

DEPARTMENT'S ESTIMATE.

NONE FOR SUBURBS OF CITY.

The opinion that power from the Horahora hydro-electric works will be absorbed in the adjacent districts is expressed in a letter from the Public Works Department, received by the Mayor of Mount Eden, Mr. C. Hudson. The latter has renewed the invitation to the chief officials of the Department to visit Auckland, in order to confer with representatives of the suburban local bodies.

Following the recent conference of local bodies, convened by the Mount Eden Borough Council, a letter was addressed to the Public Works Department asking when the Under-Secretary, Mr. W. S. Short, and the chief electrical engineer, Mr. L. Birks, could come to Auckland to meet local bodies.

In his reply Mr. Short says there is some misapprehension as to the capacity of the present installation at Horahora, as that scheme was inadequate, after supplying the wants of the district in its vicinity, to supply power also to any of the local authorities in and around the City of Auckland; consequently it was not intended, at present, at any rate, to attempt to supply Auckland from Horahora. The power for this latter purpose would come from the Arapuni scheme, and until that scheme had been further developed it would be premature to discuss matters with the local bodies.

Mr. Hudson sent the following telegram yesterday to Mr. Short:—"Your letter received stating no power available from Horahora for Auckland. This is so different from information received that suburban local bodies would be glad of verbal assurance from you. We understand a considerable balance of power will be available after Waikato wants have been supplied. I would urge that you visit us in accordance with invitation."