NEW WAIKATO PLANT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20604, 1 July 1930, Page 12

NEW WAIKATO PLANT.

NO AVOIDABLE DELAYS.

ASSURANCE BY MINISTER.

EXPEDITING INSTALLATION.

[fir TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Monday.

An assurance that thero would bo no avoidable delays in installing the new Government steam-power plant in the WaiTiato was given by the Minister of Public Works, Hon. W. B. Taverner, at the conference with Auckland provincial power boards to day.

Mr. W. .Lee Martin (Labour member for Raglan) asked whether the 15,000 kw. plant to be installed at Huntly would be of tho sarno typo as tho plant to bo installed at Auckland.

Mr. F. W. Furkert, engineer-in-chief to the Public Works Department: We have not investigated that yet. We will probably have a steam turbine plant Lik*» the Auckland one, but wo aro not yet committed. Mr. Martin: Would it be possible for the Public Works Department to take tho unit under offer to Auckland? Mr. Furkert: It would be possible, but Auckland can undoubtedly put it in quicker. Department's Inquiries lor Plant. Mr. Taverner thought thero was room for both plants. Personally, ho was pleased that tho Auckland board had approached tho local position in tho way it had done. Mr. Taverner added that the department wc/l that day making inquiries in London for a plant. He did not think any of the other boards need consider installing plants of their own. Answering Mr. It. H. Bartley, general manager of the Auckland board, Mr. F. T. M. Kissel 1, chief eicctrical engineer to the Public Works Department, said ho anticipated that Government supplies might bo 3000 kw. short during the peak periods in August. Mr. Bartley: That can be supplied by us. Answering a further question, Mr. Taverner said tho Government would assist boards with small standby plants to put thoso plants into order. Ho was quite prepared to spend a few hundred pounds In that direction. He was also willing to review the position in regard to depreciation in the light of the emergency which had arisen. Earlier Daylight Saving. It was stated that depreciation was compulsory and Mr. Taverner said ho would have no objection to supporting th* waiving of that !;o long as it was proved to be commercially sound. The suggestion was made by th<s Hon. J. B. Donald that the institution of daylight saving earlier than usual might assist in overcoming the power demand. He put forward the suggestion for what it was worth. Mr. Taverner also thought the suggestion might be worth while. Mr. Dean said the country districts would not mind half an hour daylight saving being made operative. However, no decision was made on the point,. The conference was finally assured by Mr. Taverner that there would bo no avoidable delays in installing the plant in the Waikato. If the plant had to be I manufactured the work of installation might take longer, but 24 hours a day would be worked r,f necessary in order to secure its installation if possible within 12 months. If necessary he would convene another conference, although he hoped that would not bo necessary. On the motion of Mr. W. J. Holdsworth chairman of the Auckland board, seconcled by Mr. G. Trevetjhick (Waitemata), a hearty vote of thanks was nccorded the Minister for calling tho conference and for tho manner in which he wa3 facing tho position.