Grave Shortage of Power Feared

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 50, 21 May 1927, Page 11

Grave Shortage o f Power Feared

ARAPUNI DELAY CONFERENCE TO BE HELD Auckland Power Board’s fears of a disastrous power shortage in consequence of the delay at Arapuni found expression yesterday when they were communicated to the Prime Minister, the Hon. J. G. Coates, by a deputation headed by Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, chairman of the board. Auckland has been let down badly by the Arapuni scheme. Promised current to maintain lighting and industrial plants, and answer the growing local demand, will not now be available until the end of next year, and the result is that the Auckland Power Board officials see a dire shortage, with possibility of breakdown staring them in the face. All the board’s calculations have been upset by the delay. An underground cable for the transmission of power from Penrose to the King’s Wharf was put down at a cost of £IOO,OOO, but is now idle. Moreover, demands on the available power fully tax the supply. GRAVE CONCERN Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, chairman of the board, said yesterday that they were gravely concerned about the position confronting them through the Arapuni delay. The board had only lately been informed of the true position, the reply to earlier enquiries having been that all was well. The board could instal one more 1,000 k.w. generating unit at the King’s Wharf power station, but no more, as the limit of their water circulation would then be reached. Even if this were done the board’s needs for next winter would not be met. Mr. Holdsworth pointed out that the board could not afford to take costly measures, as it had already gone £85,000 beyond its means. RAILWAY DEPARTMENT INTERESTED

The Prime Minister agreed that it was a difficult position. It seemed that a conference to survey the whole situation was desirable. The Railway Department was interested, because there was an undertaking to supply it with 2,000 k.w. in 1928, for its new works at Auckland. Mr. S. I. Crookes, a member of the deputation, said the difficulty affected the economic position of the whole of the Auckland Province. He thought the Government should bear the cost of extra plant they would have to acquire to mitigate the shortage. The Prime Minister promised to wire the Minister of Public Works, intimating to him the serious position threatened. The position at Arapuni gave ground for apprehension, and he would help to arrange a conference so that all parties could consider the situation.