THE POWER QUESTION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 12 June 1926, Page 9

THE POWER QUESTION.

Deputation To Prime Minister. SECOND LINE BY END OF AUGUST. NEW DEVELOPMENT IN 1927. (Special to the “Horakl.”) ■ WELLINGTON, Juno 11. A special deputation from the South Canterbury Power Board waited on the Hon. J. G. Coates to-day to ask when rile second transmission lino to Timaru from Lake Coleridge would be completed, and also if information could be given regarding the development of a second source of supply to South Canterbury. • The Hon. F. j. Bolleston introduced the deputation, which consisted of Mr G. J. Wallace (Mayor of Timaru), and Mr Kennedy (chairman of the Power Board).

Mr Kennedy stated that urgent and speedy completion of the transmission lines was essential. The Board had no particular complaint, but other people thought' 'differently. Regarding the second line, they would like to know when it would be put in hand. Power demands’ wore increasing, and they felt that something should be done without unduo delay. Definite information was wanted.

Mr AVallace supported Mr Kennedy’s remarks. Power was essential to the local woollen industry, which had been organised on an electrical basis, but part of tho plant had been lying idle because the Lake Coleridge plant was not 'dependable. The woollen people were anxious to know when they could have : a 'reliable plant, and Timaru people were, anxious to know where tho second source of power was coming from, and .when they would get the line. As Mayor of Timaru, he had been placed in an awkward position, through turning down a local generating plant proposal on his casting vote. Ho still saiclj '"‘however, that if they had a second line they would bo better orf than with a local generating plant. 'Mr Coates said there had been a very unfortunate delay in connection with the second transmission system, owing to material being delayed, and tiiey had not been able to keep up to y.hat they said they could do: ; Mr Gavey, inspecting engineer for the Indi'o-electric branch, asked, by Mr Choates, stated that the new line would bo through by the end of August. Mr Ccates could, he thought, safely promise that. Mr Kennedy asked whether there was any clnnce of speeding up the work.

Mr Gavey replied that one of the delays had been at the Ilakaia river, which had been in flood for about eight liionths. “We are getting into it on Sunday,” he added. Mr Coates: “Now, can we give them an assuranco that we will give it to them by the end of August f”<Mr Gavey: “Yes, sir.” ‘Mr AVallace said that would bo satisfactory, provided they could take the answer as definite. Mr Coates: ‘ ‘Borne of tho rivers are a bit tricky.’i Mr Gavey said that there were foundations' to put in for only seven towers. He was at Ilakaia last week. Tim contractors had been very unfortunate. Ho had put in foundations for four towers, but the fifth he had ribt been able to-get in. ■ Mr Kennedy again mentioned the question of speeding up, to which Mr Gavey replied that. a gang would be brought up from further south. Mr Kennedy said they wanted definite information. It would be better to say that the work would be completed by the end of August, rather than say tlie, middle, and then find it could not be 'd’one. . Mr AA r allace concurred. Mr Gavey: “I have r.old you the eiid.of August. ”- * Mr Kennedy asked whether any information was available about a second source of supply. * Mr-Coates, replied that the next installation, according to calculations, should be si carted in 1927. All field surveys were complete, and tho Department wanted river gaugings before they completed tho report on Tekapo. At Lake Bukaki field surveys were complete, and river gaugings had been established. " Field surveys were in hand at Ohau river, where river gauges had been- installed. Tho AVaitaki Gorge field surveys were’ complete, but bearings for foundations were incomplete. These were.,all the possible sources of supply apparently in that locality. When they had data they Would know. Which of them was most economical. '.They had to decide from oil engineering and economical point of hew the best point of supply. However, in 1927)' they, had to start the next scheme. ■ ’ ' ’ ' Air AVallace: “AVill that be m the vicinity of South Canterbury?” Mr Coates: “I think it would be a mistake to say that it is definitely in South Canterbury.” Mr AVallace said that as long as the transmission lines crossed treacherous rivers there would never be an absolutely reliable supply, whereas from the .AVaitaki or Ohau, treacherous rivers were not crossed. iMr Gavey said he thought the foundations .in the Ilakaia river were all right. T Mr Kennedy (to Mr Coates) : You are going to take the best source ot supply wherever it is available ” Air Coates replied that ho thought it would bo a mistake to say definitely where it would be, as they must have the right one. „, _ In reply to Air AA r allace, Air Gavey said there had been no trouble to the actual lino in the Gorge through wind. Tho new line, with special insulators, was more secure. Early difficulties 'had been got over. .' Air AVallace said tho Rakaia Gorge one of the windiest places in the whole of New Zealand - Air Rollcston inquired when tho new ■unit at Coleridge would bo operating. All- Gavcv replied: “Early in July.” Mr Rolleston: “There will bo no shortage of power then?” :jlr Gavey: “None at all.