POWER FOR AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18534, 19 October 1923, Page 8

POWER FOR AUCKLAND.

OFFER : FROM TAU RAN A.

SAVING STEAM ADDITIONS.

PROPOSALS BEFORE MINISTER. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. . A deputation, comprising the Mayor of Tauranga, Mr. B. Dive, and the borough engineer, Mr. L. Mandeno, waited on the Minister for Public Works, Hon. J. G. Coates, thiis afternoon, to put before him the Tauranga scheme for harnessing the MacLaren Falls, of negotiating with Auckland to take a portion of the power, in anticipation of the completion of the Arapuni scheme, and for the utilisation of a portion by the Government.Mr. "Mandeno said the scheme would, in the first place, meet the more immediate demands of the Tauranga district. They desired to enter into an arrangement with the Public Works Department to make use of the power at points on the Horahora system, which could not bo fullv supplied from the extended Hnrahora plant. They desired more particularly, to put the department in the position of increasing its available quota for Auckland City. There would bo 800 horse-power ; available from the generating set now being installed, and arrangement could be made, to augment this by 2400 horse-power Owing to the economical hydraulic conditions at MacLaren Falls, the power amid be generated at such a low cost that even after transmission to Auckland, it could be readily sold at a price low enough to show a saving in cost during the years prior lo the completion of the Arapuni scheme that would justify the necessary expenditure. It would have the advantage, also, to the Auckland Power Board of enabling it to meet its demands without the installation of further steam plant, and as the Auckland load was ultimately to be carried from the Government system, it would, no doubt, facilitate matters if the work were carried out with a view to the immediate utilisation of such hydro-electric power as was available.

Surplus of Over 3000 Horse-power. In answer to questions by the Minister, Mr. Mandeno said that if the MacLaren Falls scheme were immediately and fully developed, the- Tauranga Borough Council would have a total of 5000 horsepower generating capacity in January, 1925 while the local demand would not exceed 1700 horse-power. The total camtal cost woo Id he about £120,000, at £24 per horse-power. and the annual cost per kilowatt would bo between £3 and £4. He understood from published figures that i*e ppn«*hne cost at Auckland was? in tho vicinity of 2d per unit, and that presumably the steam plant now being: installed would show a large saving on this figure.. That would, no doubt, still leave the; cost of generation at a considerable fraction of a. penny. He understood, further, that the price" of current tentatively arranged between the department and the Auckland Power Board worked out approximately at one-third of a penny. Sinco 20 million units a year were in question, the difference in cost represented a large annual savin? in favour of hydro-electricity. "We quite recognise," said Mr. Mandeno. " that power from Tauranga will not rbe required immediately Arapnni is completed, art the saving in the meantime will still justify the expenditure." In a general discussion in regard to the distribution of power in Auckland. _ the chief electrical engineer, Mr. L. Birks, remarked that the ' fact that Auckland was not connecting Penrose with the King's Wharf was hampering the full utilisation of the hydro-electric power available.

Steam Plant and the Future. The Minister: If we had 5000 kilowatts Auckland would take it. It is ridiculous to add to its steam plant regardless of what misht happen in the future. Mr. Mandeno: We deyire that you should put the position to the Auckland Power Board and suggest that this extra power is available, and get a statement from the Auckland Board.

The Minister: Before wo do that wo want to know what the cost is. W» must.see where we are going in this new development. Mr. Mandeno said he had figures with him, and when a tentative proposal wa» agreed up.on they could work out coma. In regard to the point of connection of Tauransra with the Government system Mr. Birks said Matamata is the obvious connecting point. Proposals to Be Examined.'

The Minister said Mr. Birks would go into the matter and prepare a report. He could soon discover, he said, whether it was worth while going on with tho scheme. " Mr. Birks and I had a talk a couple of days ago," added the Mini? ter. "We did not anticipate this. Wo counted on much smaller figures. ' Has the Tauranga Power Board made a contract with you?" ■■■■■ The Mayor: Nothing has been entered into yet. Mr. Mandeno: The estimated reouirements for the Tauranga Power Board have already been allowed for. The denutation is remaining in Wellingtion pending the decision of the Minister.