DISILLUSIONED.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1932, Page 12

DISILLUSIONED.

(TO the Editor.) ' Sir, —It is no doubt a matter of some concern to the ratepayers and consumers ‘ alike to read extracts of views and opin- ' ions expressed by members of the Taranaki Electric Power Board at the annual meeting and review of the financial statement at Eltham on Friday, 15. If correctly reported, one' member said he desired to draw attention to ! “the serious position of the board.” This is a definite and, outspoken statement, on which he deserves to be congratulated. This speaker went on to refer to the unfortunate plight of those consumers svho were cut off (the' Stratford borough suffered most). Now, traversinng the history of our Taranaki Electric Power Board’s scheme with its interruptions of supply, together with its possibilities and opportunities of earning a respectable income from New Plymouth, it is a matter of great regret to us to admit that the failure to maintain a continuity of supply has been definitely established. Some time ago we earned quite a good revenue from New Plymouth, but as this board was unable to get a definite supply of energy, which we were unable to guarantee, they had perforce of circumstances to make provision in their own locality by a further scheme—a conservation of water to further augment their supply of electric current. If my memory serves me aright, I think our board, in view of their own local conditions and requirements, abruptly terminated the supply to New Plymouth, during the Christmas and New Year period. Now, I claim we lost revenue due to our inability and qualifications; revenue which would have gone a long way to reduce or wipe out the loss of £3OOO shown on the year’s operations. The balance-sheet shows New Plymouth as having contributed £2786 10s. Now, my concern to-day is that when New Plymouth took energy to the extent of £2786 for part of the season only, and we still show a deficit of £3OOO, together with the fact that when this unfortunate inconvenience to supply Stratford borough full load occurred we were not then handicapped by a diverted supply to New Plymouth; taken together with a statement made by the chairman of the Taranaki Electric Power Board in reference to a letter from New Plymouth offering a limited supply of 220 k.w. The- chairman stated that 220 k.w. would have been quite insufficient; at, least 1000 k.w. would have been necessary. .This will serve to show the serious position of the board’s supply; we can use our own j commonsense deductions. In common j fairness to the board it was unfortunate that supply to the Stratford Borough Council was withheld as subsequent events, the falling of rain, indicated that such a course was not necessary. The balance-sheet also shows £-1002, being payment of bulk supply from the Stratford borough. Should we lose this revenue, of which, of course, there is no suggestion or indication that we will, nevertheless we will have to guarantee continuity of supply, especially so if we anticipate further expenditure in development, by the diversion of more water into the dam, or as an alternative the arranging a contract for the purchase of the electricity from the State, which is now available. The members of the board, whose integrity and qualifications of office I am not questioning, will have to face the position. It is the policy of the board I wish to criticise, and that only constructive criticism, in that after they had examined their source of supply, attended to the core wall to stop leakage of water together with provision to hold more water by the raising of the wall two feet ’

higher, that such a condition of affairs should be obtaining to-day. Some, years ago I expressed an opinion relative to the inadequacy of the scheme to meet the maximum demands in the summer time —this is the only way it can be gauged—and to supply current to the consumer at an economic price level. This, I still claim, it lias failed to do; the prospect at the price in milking motors against oil engines, lighting at 6d a unit net, power for dairy factories in replacement of steam, and automatic coal stokers, will need reviewing. If our scheme is unable to meet these commitments the board should consider the cost of bulk supply from the Public Works Department; determine its cost per unit to the consumer, and if this is found to be cheaper should make, provision for the necessary and. additional supply as other power boards have had to do. This I think will be the ultimate decision. I have no desire to obscure the good works and services rendered by the members of the board, but I venture to suggest that an attempt to raise finances to further develop the scheme should be viewed •with some concern by ratepayers before- authority is given the board to sacrifice funds on a . scheme, the possibilities of which, at the cost, will not produce energy at an economic price level. Indeed, I cannot imagine the necessary license being granted or loan authorised. —I am, etc., M. G. TROTTER. Stratford, April 21, 1932.