POWER INTERRUPTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20174, 7 February 1929, Page 8

POWER INTERRUPTIONS.

The Thames Valley Power Board has rightly made complaint of the frequent trouble to which its consumers have been put by breakdowns at the Horahora station. It is on the supply of electric power from this station that the board is dependent for its service, and any interruption in supply means the hampering of the work of dairy farmers and the operation of dairy factories. The serious breakdown on January 20 has been explained as due to the sudden leaving of his post, on account of illness, by an official of the Public Works Department. In that explanation is a reasonable excuse for the official, but it does not exculpate the department. With relation to the department, the excuse is a confession of grave failure to do its duty. Contingencies of this kind should be provided aqainst with all care. Twice a day the farmers must have adequate power for their milking machines, and the factories also need regular supply. This consideration is so vitally important that all the explanations advanced for the frequent breakdowns indicate a very inadequate sense of duty on the part of the department. To speak of the possibility of further interruptions as "pretty remote'' is far from satisfactory. Recent experience discourages faith in any statement of this vague sort. There has been laxity in administration, and responsibility for this must be shouldered arid steps taken to ensure its non-recurrence. Nor does reference to "a considerable improvement when the Arapuni station supplies power' give any comfort. It rather betokens hopelessness about the reliability of the Horahora supply. In any event, power from Arapuni is still a long way off. It is certainly the business of the department. as one member of the board has plainly put the position, to maintain a reasonable service under all conditions. The Government- acquired Horahora on very favourable terms, and it has been a highly profitable undertaking. These facts naturally intensify the dissatisfaction of the farming community at the inadequate consideration shown to them and their industry. Whatever be the cause of the interruptions, it should be removed at any reasonable cost. An ounce of good administration is worth a ton of such excuses as that offered in the particular instance to which most reference has recently been made.