POWER FOR AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17650, 10 December 1920, Page 7

POWER FOR AUCKLAND.

COMPREHENSIVE DISTRICT.

MINISTER'S SUGGESTION.

ONE BOARD FOR ISTHMUS. The formation of ore comprehensive hydro-electric power board to cohm Auckland City and the various suburb?" districts which desire power su hemes \t.ns the proposal which the Minister f• r Public Works, Hon. J. G. Coates. offered the representatives of Mount Albert and the Eden and Manukau districts yesterday, in answer to the representations they made to him last week. The delegates who had met him on that occasion interviewed him again yesterday morning. Mr. Coates said that consideration hati been given to the different proposals The department s electrical engineer, Mr. L. Birks, had met a number of gentlemen interested in hydro-electric power. He himself, said the Minister, had conferred with the Mayor of Auckland. Mr. J. H Gunson, and the Mayor of Gnehunga, Mr J. Park. His opinion, apart from any local differences that might exist, was that in considering what licenses, if any, should be given, the point to decide was what was likely to be the most efficient and economical scheme for the future from the point of view of the whole, and not of any particular individual or area. He realised that power was an essential. The Government was most anxious to develop all the hydro-electric power possible. In accordance with the country's ability to meet the demand, and the amount of money provided for the purpose, so would the power be developed. Conference Recommended. Coming to the question of licenses for the areas suggested to him, he wished there to be no delay. He did not want to delay in any way the reticulation scheme for Auckland. Looking at the map, and knowing a little about Auckland and its district, he had it firmlv fixed in his mind that the most economical scheme would be to form one power board district for the whole. When the map was considered that area on the Auckland Isthmus, from the Waitemata to the Manukau Harbour, including New Lynn, and bounded on the south bv Ota huhu Creek, appeared ■ to him to be the district in which the most efficient and economical reticulation scheme could be carried out with one power board. " I suggest," proceeded the Minister, " that a conference bo held erf those concerned, including the (.My Council, and that the proposals be thoroughly considered." Whether the City Council would agree to it or not, he could not say. In any case he suggested that the conference should be held, and the matter considered from the point of view of havfng one power board for the whole area. He would get into touch with those concerned. Tribute to the Minister. The Mayor of Onenunga, Mr. ,J. Park, asked whether, in the event of the conference being, held and no decision reached, the Minister would consider, the other proposals placed before him. Mr. Coates said he would give no decision before the matter had been considered. He added that he had not taken into account at all any possible local feeling. Mr. Park said that for a conference of that kind it would be necessary to have the Minister and Mr. Birka present, as so many small considerations which could not be foreseen were liable to creep in. The Minister indicated that there was no insuperable difficulty about that, lie would be returning north shortly, and it would probably be possible to modify his plans to enable him to be present. Mr. Park added to the other ,delegates:"l have had a good deal to do with Ministers, but I have never met- one who is so fair-minded a man as Mr. Coates. I have no hesitation in asking you to have this conference right away, because •it is up to us to do anything we can to help Mr. Coates." Mr. T. B. Clay, Mayor of Mount Albert, asked whether it vrculd .expedite matters to have a comprehensive scheme. The power supply 'was wanted as soon as it could 1 possibly be obtained. Mr. Coates said that without doubt the comprehensive schcmo would be quicker and more efficient than a number of small ones. r