Poverty Bay Herald. GISBORNE, TUESDAY, FEB. 5, 1929. HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16869, 5 February 1929, Page 6

Poverty Bay Herald. GISBORNE, TUESDAY, FEB. 5, 1929. HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

The scheme formulated in 1918 by Mr. Evan Parry—ho was nt that, time the chief electrical engineer of the Public Works Department—recently reached one of its epoch-making stages by the linking up of the hydro-electric power system at Waikarcnioana with the circuit at Mnngahao. This development, together with the extension of the service to Gisborno, to be completed in a few days' time, marks a most important, stage in the progress toward a general system of electrical power and light supply which will eventually cover the whole ot the needs of the North Island. The scheme as it was originally propounded by Mr. Parry, proposed to utilise three main sources of supply— 7 in the Wellington district., the Mangahao river; in the Auckland district, the Wnihato river; and in the district of Hawkc's Bay, Lake Waikarcnioana. Subsidiary means of power were indicated, but the general idea of the proposals was to formulate a policy whereby the three.main sources men-

tionod might eventually be linked together us one all-sufficient unit for the supply of hydro-electrical energy. Itwas not found possible by the Government to .secure funds sufficient to carry forward the development of the three sources simultaneously, and in accordance with the advice tendered by thu original sponsor of the general undertaking, attention was therefore concentrated upon Mangaliao. The reasons behind the fact of the selection ofMangahao as the earliest scene of endeavor were that in that sector tlto work could be most expeditions completed, that it was conveniently adjacent to the city of Wellington and other important centres, and thai Mangahao, by its geographical position, represented the centre of gravity of a "load" that could ! o almost entirely consumed as fast in it wis produced. its generated power, in other words, was capable of complete absorption by the area it was designed to serve. In general, tilings have not gone too smoothly in the case of the development of the work at Mangahao. The estimates were rather badly out ill the matter of the time required to bring the task to completion, and also as .to the money required. In addition, complaints have not been infrequent with regard to the dependability of Mangahao as a source oJ supply. There is justification to some extent for the view that has been expressed here and there that despite the possibility of a certain amount of leakage due to the distance of transmission, it might have been sounder policy to harness Waikaremoana to the'needs of the south; for there is no doubt whatever that that lake has ample resources, and to spare, for the supply of all requirements. It is worth recalling that three years prior to the initial proposals, the Government was approached with a suggestion that Waikarcmoana would be found. sufficient for all needs. The suggestion was urged by Mr. George NiJson, whose views were put forwar ! in the most definite terms and exhibit el ;• comprehensive knowledge of the vvho.'e question of hydro-c)octricai supply. At that time,, however, the powers that were had no great ;i----ten'Pt in the matter at ail, and when in the course of time a flicker of intercut began to be manifestos, it was to the South Island that fcbo Government directed its attention. The first activities undertaken were at Lake Coleridge down south, and North Island was left severely alone for a considerable length of time. At the long last, Avhen the problem as it affects North Island was tackled in real earnest, it eventuated that Mangahao and Arapuni took precedence of Waikarcmoana largely because 'of the proximity of the first two to the 4arge industrial centres of Wellington and some may remember that in 1919 a considerable amount of impatience was manifested on the part of many in Hawke's Bay and in Poverty Bay on account of the dilatory policy of the Government, and that a movement was sot on foot to organise the work at Waikarcmoana independently. Taking advantage of some recent legislation that had been passed, it was proposed to set up a. district board that would lie given sufficient authority to carry put the work to an extent that would at least supply immediate needs. All the local bodies, hardly without exception, from Waipukurau to Gisborne, were agreeable to the general idea that the development of the resourcs at Waikarcmoana should bo undertaken without delay. Napier was one of the main exceptions, and it is more than probable that but for the objections then raised by that borough, we might now be enjoying the benefits of the inexhaustible resources of Waikarcmoana's hydro-electric power. In any case, it will be evident to all that in this whole matter, Government policy and public opinion have had but little in common. It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that by the time the resources of Waikarcmoana have been tapped, it will be scon that there is a possibility of its becoming the great means of supply for the whole of the North Island. The pity is that the lesson will have been learned at considerable financial cost.