WAIPORI DEVELOPMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20704, 30 April 1929, Page 9

WAIPORI DEVELOPMENT.

TO THE EDITOR. SIE, —I have been asked to explain Councillor Black’s statement at his South Dunedin meeting on April 23, when he was reported to have stated that “ Waipori to-day developed 12,000 k.w. and when fully extended would develop 28,000 k.w.” "Therefore,” he asked, "Why the panic? " May 1 say that the load carried by Waipori and the Diesel engines last winter was 13,800 k.w., and, if there had been no arrangements for some large consumers to work at night, the load would

have been over 14,000 k.w. The result would have been that some consumers would have had to be cut off. Had it been possible to carry on this coming winter without any restrictions, the load would be over 16,000 b.w„ so that the growth in 22 years, since 1907, has been 16.000 kw. But this broad statement misses the all-important fact that the increase since the winter of 1925 has averaged 17 per cent.—from 0400 k.w. to 16.000 k.w.—while from 1920 it has risen from 10,040 k.w. to 16,000 k.w._, an average of 19 per Cent.—and this with practi-. eally no attempt at advertising. Councillor Black seems to take the average increase over 22 years, and infers that Waipori will not be up to full capacity for 18 years. Prudence and common sense, however, indicate that the average increase since 1925 at least should be taken, in which case the load will be up to the full capacity of Waipori in less than six years. Unfortunately plans that had been adopted and followed for a hydro-electric, plant of 12,000 k.w, could not be revised and changed at a moment’s notice when the possibilities were suddenly more than doubled ns the result of the authority given in 1924 to erect a dam 110 feet high. Councillors are aware of, this, ns it is on record in the minutes that areplaced on the table for. their information. I trust Councillor Black will see that it is not “ funk,” but force of circumstances. that has impressed upon the committee, the wisdom and necessity of considering the offer of outside assistance made by the Government. On July 13, 1027, Councillor Black stated at the council meeting that “it seemed to him a large sum of money was to be spent at Waipori, and the council ought to look into the position and see whether it was advisable to go on with further expenditure. It might he possible later on to buy power from the Government instead of expending more of the city’s money.” (Vide Otago Daily Times. July 14, 1927). At that time (be Government had not decided to start on Waitaki, “ Later on ” has arrived. Why this change of opinion? Since writing the above I have perused the latest and therefore the most interesting figures. For the past four weeks the output from Waipori has been over 19 per cent, above that for the same period last year. As both periods include the Easter holidays, the comparison is perfectly fair. If. with the fine weather we have had during the last month the output shows such an increase, what will it be at or after mid-winter? If this rate of increase is maintained then the demand will reach the Waipori possibility of 28,000 k.w. in less than five years. Consequently it is plain that the matter calls for prompt action on the part of the new council. —1 am, etc., J. B. Shacklock. Dunedin. April 29. [The above letter has been published in our evening contemporary, but by reason of its importance at the present juncture we waive our rule against the publication of letters that are not sent to us originally. —Ed., O.D.T.]