POWER FROM HORAHORA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18710, 16 May 1924, Page 11

POWER FROM HORAHORA

YEAR LATER THAN PROMISED.

SUPPLY SOUTH OF PENROSE.

EXPECTED NEXT WINTER.

Power from Horahora to supplement that generated at the King's Wharf station, which was to have been available this winter, will not be available until the winter of 1925. A total of 2000 kilowatts is to be brought to Penrose by the Public Works Department from Horahora for distribution by the Auckland Power Board. The districts chiefly affected are the Manukau County and the various suburban centres south of. Penrose to Papakura. Considerable building and other works have been proceeding in these districts on the assumption that power would be available for light and power this winter.

The matter was raised at the Power Board's meeting yesterday, by a notification from the department stating that contracts had been let for the various sections of the transmission line, and the main transformers at Penrose. Every effort would be made to supply the board bv the winter of 1925.

The Chairman, Mr. W. J. Holdsworth: That is just 12 months later than when the power was originally expected. The subject was again raised in a reply by the engineer, Mr. A. Wyllio, to questions by Mr. J. Park. The engineer stated the present power station building was now full, and there was no further room for any additional machinery. The addition of another 5000 kilowatts set would mean very heavy expenditure in new buildings, both for engine room and boiler house. The present power station was designed to last until water power should be available. The load beyond Penrose would be dependent oh, power from Horahora.

_ The chairman remarked the latter question had already been dealt with. As for extending the power station, that question could be reviewed as soon as something definite was known regarding the Arapuni hydrp-electric scheme. The matter was referred to the board in committee.

It was later reported that it was not ?ossible to supply power to a quarry at 'enrose until the supply from Horahora was available. The same difficulty had arisen in regard to the reticulation of Mangere, which was to be supplied from Penrose.

On this latter point, a deputation of residents near Mangere Bridge and repre sentatives of the Manukau Countv Council presented a petition bearing 90 signatures, requesting that the reticulation of a small area near the bridge be ' proceeded with at once. . This area, it was urged, wa properly part of Onehunga, and had a claim to draw its supplv from the King's Wharf station instead of having to await the coming of Horahora power. The lighting of the bridge was especially important. The board decided to visit the area in question and to instruct the engineer to report on the scheme.