STEAM PLANT AT HUNTLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20600, 26 June 1930, Page 12

STEAM PLANT AT HUNTLY.

MEETING FAVOURS ERECTION. USE OF WAIKATO COAL. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HUNTLY, Wednesday. A largely-attended meeting of business men was held this afternoon in tho Town Hall, Huntly, to discuss tho question of making representations to the Government in connection with tho erection of a steam plant for electricity at Huntly West. Mr. W. C. E. George,, chairman of the Town Board, presided. Mr. W. Lee Martin, M.P., was also present, and stressed tho urgency of tho situation. Auckland people had strongly advocated tho erection of tho plant there, but ho thought that Huntly was more suitable, in that tho amount spent on coal freights would bo saved, and tho district was more central for tho distribution of power. " ' '

Mr. Georgo said tho amount exponded on coal freights per anntim was £50,000 An assurance was given that thera would bo a plentiful supply of coal, and that afc the present time there were 20,000 tons of coal slack lying at Eotawaro, which could not be sold.

Mr. Martin suggested that members of Parliament should bo approached regarding the erection of tho plant at Huntly, and also tho farmers' unions and other organisations. He said the Mac Donald mine at Huntly West could bo opened if necessary, and with the coal from other mines it would ensuro a constant supply. He felt that concentration on the Huntly coalfields was tho proper measuro. From information received, he saw no reason why a station could not be erected in six to seven months.

It was decided to nominate a committee to obtain certain information to be placed before a meeting to be hold on Saturday. The following were placed on the committee: Messrs. F. Harris, E. George, N. Green Well, K. S. Cauldwell, G, Smith. Messrs. Cauldwell and Greenwell were elected to represent tho meeting on Saturday, when a meting of mine managers, miners' unions and others will be held to discuss matters further. Mr. Martin will obtain data immediately, to hand to tho responsible authorities.