WAIPORI EXTENSIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23687, 20 December 1938, Page 12

WAIPORI EXTENSIONS

PROGRAMME OF WORK OPPOSED ALLEGED BUNGLING IN PAST cr McMillan taken to task Extensions to the hydro-electric works at Waipori involving the construction of a n:w 5000-foot tunnel and the installation of two 3000 k.w. units at a cost of £108,772 were approved by the City Council at its meeting last night. The recommendations of the Electric Power and Lighting Committee were submitted in terms of an exhaustive report by the council's consulting engineers (Messrs Vickerman and Lancaster). Cr McMillan, discussing the advisability of raising the height of the dam, characterised the history of Waipori as a story of one bungle after another, and said the council should guard against another huge blunder. His expression of opinion drew instant rebukes from the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) and Cr Cameron. Backed By Authority Cr Cameron said that the proposed extensions, involving a cost of £108.772, had the authority of experts, including the council's consulting engineers, the city electrical engineer, and his predecessor, Cr Henderson. The consulting engineers did not recommend an increase in the height of the dam at this juncture becuase it was not necessary, but they considered that ultimately, in about seven or eight years, it might have to be done at a cost of £70,000. With respect to the No. 3 and No. 4 stations, it might be asked why the council did not complete them, but any such action was orohibited in the terms of the agreement with the Government concerning Waitaki power, which provided that nothing could be done in this connection until 1941. Danger of Power Shortage " If we do not increase the generating power at Waipori," said Cr Cameron; " the cost of buying extra power from the Government, computed on the basis of a 7 per cent, increase in consumption, will be £94,000 for the next seven years. If there is a 10 per cent, increase, which is quite possible, we will have to pay £IBB,OOO in the next seven years. But more cogent arguments in favour of proceeding with the work are to be found in the engineer's fears of a power shortage in 1940-41. This makes immediate action necessary, and the committee asks that the matter be treated as urgent. Councillors may not know that the Government is quite within its rights, if an emergency arises, in discontinuing all the power we are now receiving. That is a risk we cannot afford to take. There is a possibility, of course," Cr Cameron said, " that the old question of the purchase of the headworks by the Government will again be raised, but we must take that chance. Personally, however, I am convinced that the Government will welcome the move we are now proposing to make in the direction of the development of our own sources of "power. For one thing, it is possible that with increased resources we mav be able to help the Government out sometimes." Raising Height of Dam Cr Munro suggested that the volume of water might be a problem. The supply at Waipori had failed them before, and he was afraid it might do so again, unless the height of the dam were increased. Cr McMillan said the council would be making a big mistake if it did not raise the level of the dam, and he thought the whole matter should be reviewed in that light. Given a dry winter, he did not think there would be enough water, unjess storage was increased. "One Bungle After Another" "We have a marvellous asset Jn Waipori," Cr McMillan said, "and I think the greatest evidence of that is the fact that its natural resources have overcome the stupidity of man. The history of Waipori is a story of one bungle after another, and yet in spite of huge blunders the works are an asset. lam afraid that we are now embarking on another big mistake if we spend over £IOO,OOO before we are sure that there wlil be a sufficient supply of water." Remarks Resented The Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) said he thought the strongest exception should be taken to Cr McMillan's statements about bungling and blunders at Waipori. "It is a reflection on ex-councillors who did a great work for the city, and I feel that, if Cr McMillan can contribute as much to the progress of Dunedin as those men did, he would achieve a great deal. I do not deny that mistakes have been made in the past, but we could learn only by experience, and I think everyone will agree that the city has built up a great asset of which it has every reason to be proud." "I think it is to be regretted that Cr McMillan's uncomplimentary references to Waipori were made at all. Cr McMillan may not know that in 30 years up till 1937 Waipori showed a surplus of si 648,000, and of this amount £480,000 has been devoted to purposes outside the department. Up to the end of 1937 the botch and bungle of which Cr McMillan speaks contributed no less than £279,592 to the Municipal Department for the relief of rates. I think we owe a great debt to those who established the works, and we should see that they are carried on and developed." Replying to the suggestions that there might not be enough water for the proper operation of the extensions, Cr Cameron repeated that, in arriving at its decision in this matter, the committee had been guided by experts.