POWER FOR THE NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20229, 13 April 1929, Page 13

POWER FOR THE NORTH.

COMPREHENSIVE PROPOSALS. WHANGAREI COUNTY SCHEME. ESTIMATED COST AND REVENUE., [UY TELEGRAPH.—OWN' CO]!RESPONDENT. ] WHANGAREI. Friday. Electricity proposals for the Whangarei County canie before the County Council to-day in the fcrm of a report from Mr. T. It. Overton, consulting engineer. Mr. Overton stated that the area under review totalled approximately 1000 squaro miles with a population, exclusive of other local bodies within its boundaries, of 10,670. The ratable values, according to tho 1921 revision were: Capital £4.468.195 and unimproved £2,068,265. In accordance with the proposed plan of distribution the approximate lengths of lines in the various districts would lie 195 miles. This included Hikurangi and the Onerahi town districts. The engineer stated that the present sources of power available in the district would not be sufficiently adequate or economical for such a comprehensive scheme as now outlined. It was, therefore, necessary to consider tho purchase of power in bulk from Arapuni. He had discussed tho matter with the chief electrical engineer of the Public Works Department and he saw no reason at tho moment why North Auckland should bo isolated from the benefits and future prospects of supplies from super stations installed at the most favourable and selected natural power cities in the North Island. Continuing, (lie engineer estimated tho capital cost at £107,232 and financial assistance to consumers for installations, etc., at £20.000. The estimated annual revenue in tho third year he gave as £18,890. ''lt will bo noted," ho said, "that I have not taken into account the special load at Hikurangi, due to Wilson's Collieries, Limited, and the Hikurangi Coal Company, but these have not been overlooked. The power consumption of the two companies will be considerable and in the event of a power board functioning special rate contracts would be executed with them."As compared with the estimated annual revenue of £18,890 in the third year the expenditure is set down .at £18,610. giving a credit in revenue account of £2BO. The engineer further stated that iiq assistance whatever will bo required from general rates. If an amalgamation could be brought about with Hobson and Otamatea further security would follow in respect of - lower overhead costs, both in construction and operation. He made a definite recommendation to join forces with Hobson and Otamatea, for which reports had been prepared. After hearing Mr. Overton's report the council set up a committee to act in conjunction with the Hobson and Otamatea counties with a view to setting up a combined' power board for tho three counties concerned. Mr. Overton answered many questions and was thanked for his comprehensive report. A conference will be held to-morrow between the Hobson Power Board, Otarnatea and Whangarei county representatives.

THAMES VALLEY AREA.

APPLICATIONS FOR POWER. STATE AS MORTGAGEE. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] TE AROHA, Friday. The Thames Valley Power Board met to-day, Mr. F. M. Strange presiding. The Minister of Finance, Sir Joseph Ward, advised in connection with a complaint of difficulty in obtaining the consent of the Lands Department and the State Advances Department, as mortgagees, to applications for the installation of lighting and power, that the. statement did not apply to the State Advances Department, whose practice it was to approve all applications where the security was considered satisfactory. In this connection, the Minister of Lands, Hon. G. W. Forbes, wrote as follows:—"Unfortunately in the past the department has been forced to meet, in the aggregate, a substantial amount, representing the costs of such installations to properties that have subsequently been abandoned, so that great care is necessary in granting consent to any new applications. The question is, however, generally one that is dependent on the value of the security in respect to each property involved, and as the administration of the mortgages is in the hands of the commissioner of Crown lands, it is considered that the matter is one for the commissioner's judgment." The manager, Mr. R. Sprague, said the applications had now been met, although not until they had been made four times. The engineer, Mr. W. CI. McLeod, reported that the work of connecting the 11,000-volt line cubicles and transformers at the new Thames sub-station- site xvas completed, and supply Riven at this point on March 24. The old sub-station had been dismantled. The manager said a scow winch was capsized at Ngatea had fouled the board s cable and dragged it out of its trench in the river. It was difficult to estimate the damage without the services of a diver, which had been arranged tor. REPORT TO OTAMATEA COUNCIL. ENGINEER'S 1> ECOM MEN P ATION S. [BY TKI.KGKU'H. —own correspondent. 3 PAPAROA. Friday. When the Otaniatea County Council met vesterdav, Mr. J. R. Overton, consulting engineer, presented a report on the proposed electric supply scheme for tho countv. and the result of the load survev. He recommended the, construction of 84' miles of main power line, traversing the backbone of the county from Maungaturoto through Paparoa and Matakoho to ltuawai, and suggested that an additional 42J miles might be constructed later. The source of power would be Arapuni and other sources interconnected, lho total cost of carrying out tho scheme was given as £54,382, including engineering and administration costs, and sinking fund. The adoption of any power proposals was subject to sanction by the ratepayers. Mr. Overton considered that assuming a moderate supply of power was purchased bv the settlers, a sound proposition could be established. The council resolved to appoint Messrs. Heslop, Collins and Belts a sub-committee to arrange to meet representatives of the Tfobson Power Board and the Whangaroi County Council with tho consulting engineer, the committee to report to the* next meeting of the council.