WAIPORI EXTENSIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23690, 23 December 1938, Page 5

WAIPORI EXTENSIONS

TO IHE EDITOR Sir, —Your attitude towards Labour members reminds one of Paddy’s traditional attitude towards the Government: “ Where’s a Labour member, because I’m against him? ” In your paper on all occasions and oh all subjects Labour members are condemned in language that is anything but moderaie and restrained Far from “ venting acerbity on everybody,” as misstated in your leading article this morning, I was. at last council meeting, drawing councillors’ attention to facts that merited serious consideration. You say “The council’s judgment is not seriously impugned because Councillor McMillan . considers that the council will be making a big mistake if it does not now proceed to raise the level of the dam at Waipori.” What are the facts? They are that the council is proposing to spend £IOB,OOO on the construction of a new tunnel, the existing one being too small, and the installation of two additional SOOOkw units. I agree with this extension, but I contend that to spend this money on extensions without at the same time increasing the storage of water in the dam to ensure that there is sufficient to operate the additional plant at all times is gambling against a dry season, and is a short-sighted policy. The press, Councillor Cameron Councillor Henderson, and other experts say that the water supply will be sufficient; but what are the facts' 1 The facts are that during last wintei there was not sufficient water to operate the existing plant, let alone any additional generators for on the agenda for the council, July 4, 1938 in the E.P. and L. Committee’s report we read: “ With a view to conserving the water supply at Waipori, the council has been drawing on the Waitaki supply to the extent of VOOOkws during the past quarter. Can your paper explain this fact away? One would expect a paper such as the Otago Daily Times, with its potentialities for service to the community, to give such statements serious consideration and not merely use them as an excuse for vituperation.—l am. etc., D. G. McMillan.

Roslyn, December 22 [Councillor McMillan overlooks the fact that the agreement between the City Council and the Government contains a provision under which the proportion of the total units of energy supplied by Waitaki will increase from year to year during the next seven years and to this extent the proportion supplied by Waipon will actually diminish, the assumption being that the load will increase during that period at the rate of 7 per cent, per annum, which is considered a conservative estimate Councillor McMillan sneeringly refers to “experts." Mr Vickerman. the council’s consulting engineer, who is regarded as in the front rank of consulting engineers in the Dominion, is satisfied that there is no immediate need for raising the dam. The city electrical engineer agrees with this opinion.—Ed.. O.D.T.]