ELECTRIC ENERGY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22835, 20 March 1936, Page 10

ELECTRIC ENERGY

POWER FOR CENTRAL OTAGO THE ROARING MEG SCHEME OPENED BY MR SEMPLE (From Our Special Reporter) CROMWELL, March 19. Development of hydro-electric i power in Central Otago was advanced a further stage to-day when the Central Otago Power Board scheme on the Roaring Meg was officially opened by the Minister of Public Works (Mr R. Semple). Several hundred persons from all over the district assembled at the power house in the Kawarau Gorge, and the , occasion marked an important advance in the electrification of Central Otago. The Minister was accompanied by Mrs Semple and by the chief electrical engineer of the Public Works Department (Mr F. T. M. Kissel). HISTORY OF THE SCHEME After extending a welcome to the Minister and Mrs Semple, the chairman of the Central Otago Electric Power Board (Mr Bringans) said it had been evident three or four years ago that more power would be required than

could be obtained from the Teviot Power Board, and, after investigations had been carried out, the Roaring Meg had been chosen as a most suitable stream to be harnessed. The scheme had pow come to fruition, and in a few days’ time the Central Otago Board’s area would be disconnected from the Teviot scheme. . After describing the details of the Roaring Meg scheme, Mr Bringans said the whole of the work had been carried out under the direct supervision of the board’s engineer (Mr A. E. Ellis), who had been assisted by his brother (Mr M. Ellis). The work had been in operation for 14 months, and it was satisfactory to record that during that time there had not been any mishap or accident of any kind. “ The estimated coat of the work was £42,000,” added Mr Bringans, “and it has been carried out in round figures at about £40,000. The reticulation of the Matakanui district, which was estimated to cost about £20,000, has been done for under £19,000, which reflects further credit on Mr Ellis. The board has been very fortunate in receiving payment in advance from the two dredges which are to operate in the district. One company has paid us £12,000 and the other £15,000, and thus we have plant worth £40,000 for £15,000 so far as the rateable value is concerned, the remainder coming out of revenue.” BOARD CONGRATULATED Mr W. A. Bodkin, member for Central Otago, congratulated the board on its achievement. The undertaking was one, he said, which showed that members of the board were hard-headed business men. Very few places offered facilities for the harnessing of the water-power that was available in Central Otago. He hoped that the mining companies which had assisted the board would enjoy more than a passable measure of success and that the development of electric power in the district would have the effect of stimulating the gold mining industry to the extent that the resources of the district justified. Mr Kissel said there had been a certain delay in granting the Central Otago Board permission to proceed with the Roaring Meg scheme, but it might have been due, at least to a certain extent, to the Government’s plans for a national electrical scheme. It had been considered, however, that in any case a scheme in that part of the country would be an advantage to a national scheme and for that reason there could be no objection to it. He congratulated the hoard, its engineer, and the workmen on the fine job they had turned out, and reminded consumers that as the board and the engineers had done their work it remained for the people to use as much electric power as possible. The rate of charges in Central Otago was at least equal to the Dominion average, but it could lie reduced if the people would set themselves out to use electric power in every way possible. Other speakers were Mr James Ritchie (chairman of the Vincent County Council), and Mr J. George (representing the Teviot Power Board). THE MINISTER'S ADDRESS “In my opinion,” said the Minister, when officially declaring the scheme open, “ the development of hydro-electric power in this country is just in its infancy. The mountain streams in this district lend themselves to the generation of electrical current, and as we are living In a power-driven age it is most important to remember that this energy should be used to transfer the burden of industry from the shoulders of men and women to the cranks of machinery. Modern developments bring new problems, and it is the duty of- the leaders of the people to take heed of the inarch of science, discovery and invention. “At present,” Mr Semple continued, “ we arc depending on foreign countries for the wherewithal to run our factories, our air services, and other branches of industry. We spend £3,500,000 every year buying'oil from countries which do not buy from us; but what we must do in the future is to make New Zealand self-reliant and self-contained. Electricity can help us to do that, and it will make work for our own people. We must achieve a safer and a sounder position and give our people a greater measure of safety and security.’ A moment later, when a switch was pressed by Miss F. Bringans, the chairman’s daughter, the Roaring Meg scheme leapt into action.