HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17697, 24 October 1919, Page 3

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER

THE WANGAEHU SCHEME

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —In the course of a reply to Mr Crow, which appeared in yesterday's "Chronicle," .Mr Talboys indicates that it is not his intention to reply further to newspaper criticism of his hydro-electric proposals. Mr Talboys has no doubt come to this determination because trie controversy runs some risk of becoming a personal discussion between two engineers. I hope that it will not, and that Mr Talboys will not let the case so by default. lam sure his anxiety like my own is to see the town obtain the best possible service at the cheaper rate. We want the whole Question thoroughly threshed out so that the ratepaypers may judge for themselves and by seeing that both sides of the question are fully explained Mr Talboys will be doing-a public service. It is not my intention to debate Mr Talboy's reply to Mr Crow, who on his return from Gisborne will no doubt deal with the matter himself, but Mr Taiboys makes use of my name more than once, and I may be pardoned for pointing out that his criticism in that regard is unworthy of the responsible engineer to an important community. Mr Talboys was aware, because he discussed it with me, that my offer was at the rate of £8 for 6000 horse-power and that the £12 he is so constantly quoting was for a minimum of 2000 horse-power. Then why compare my minimum with Mangahao or take Coleridge's j maximum? That is not a reasonable comparison as Mr Talboys must I know. He admits that Mangahao will cost more than Coleridge and suggests 25 per cent. He must know [ from his own engineering experience 'that such figures are absurd. I venture to say that 125 per cent will not cover it. Consequently my £8 for 6000 horse-power will compare very favourably with any figures that Mr Talboys can adduce about Mangahao.

But the real point is this: Here is a proposal which will give Wanganui ailiple electrical power in about two years. Under no present Government scheme will the town get electrical power inside ten years, and in the meantime *the industries which our port and our geographical position would attract to Wanganui will be established at those places—Auckland, Wellington, Christchureb, and Dunedin where power will be* much earlier available —and once' there will remain there. There is much I could say further in reply to Mr Talboys, but I prefer not to say it at the present juncture because I do not want to see the issue clouded as far as .I am concerned by any controversy that is not purely upon the merits of the various schemes. The main thing is to get the bast and get it quickly, whoever provides it. —I am, etc.,

W. J. POLSON,

Fordell, 22/10/19