ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18067, 9 July 1930, Page 8

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.

CENTRAL POWER BOARD. HUNTLY PLANT ADVOCATED. THE CHAIRMAN’S OPINION. Reporting on the conference between representatives of the supply boards and the Minister of Public Works, Hon W. B. Taverner, arising out of the Arapuni breakdown, Mr T. Hinton, chairman of the Central Board, said at its meeting to-day, that he was satisfied the question of supply was assured. v Auckland was resuming its old plant at the King’s Wharf, and the Public Works Department was to erect its own plant at no expense to supply boards. Everything was shaping well, and he was certain that with the conserving of power, the boards would be able to keep going, with perhaps slight interruptions, until September when Auckland having reached its peak, expected to be able 'to spare 3000 kilowatts. In the meantime cookers promised would be supplied together with electrical appliances for new houses being built specially to receive them. No other extensions would be made. The engineer-manager, Mr J. R. Ellis said various methods were being looked into with the possibility- of easing the situation, and explained some of the points. He expressed the opinion that the Department would do everything in its power to assist boards over this difficult period. Auckland Plant Assailed. Mr W. C. E. George, who attended the conference attacked the attitude adopted by the Auckland Power Board. He criticised its proposal to erect a- steam plant at Auckland. Coal would cost 21s 3d there as against 17s a ton at Huntly. No objection was raised to the scheme at the conference as it was understood that Auckland was to undertake the work at its own expense. That was the understanding at the time. Later it appeared Auckland was asking the Government to pay half the cost. It was evident, said Mr George, that all the while at the conference Auckland had .“something up its sleeve.” Mr George advocated the erection of the plant at Huntly on economic grounds, and at the earliest opportunity. There was an assured shortage of 2000 kw. and the chief engineer, Mr F. W. Furkert when asked about a guaranteed supply of power, said the department couldn’t sell what they had not got,, thus admitting a lack. “There is too much Taihoa about Mr Furkert as Mr JOhnston has said,” added Mr George, “if we rely on Mr Furkert it will be a mighty long time being erected.” Mr George insisted' that the board see; that the Auckland Power Board did not “get away with” any more concessions. He considered the Auckland proposal absurd. Mr Hinton said the Minister had given a definite assurance that Auckland would itself pay for the proposed scheme. Mr J. .T. Ryburn considered that if the Government contributed 50 per cent to the Auckland scheme, Waikato boards should be able to draw 50 per cent of power from them. Mr W. Henry thought the only use of a plant at Auckland would be to provide power for the increasing demand further north in case of a breakdown. Mr G. Boyd: “There’s going to be trouble, and w'e need small auxiliary plants.” Several members remarked they had not heard that Auckland was asking the Government to pay half. Mr Henry averred that the Public Works Department was allowed no head; the state of the Government with three different parties squabbling shackled it. The department should be separated from politics and the country would then be better off. Mr G. Smith emphasised that the board wanted supply, not profit. Eventually the board decided on the following resolution:— “In view of the immediate requirements of the consumers throughout the central Power Board area the board is earnestly desirous’ 1 that the Public Works Department do its very best to put .into immediate use any plants available.” It was also decided to urge upon the Government the necessity of expediting the erection of the promised 15,000 k.w. steam plant at Huntly. Auckland Thanked. Mr Hinton later expressed to a Times representative his appreciation of the very liberal and helpful attitude adopted by the Auckland Board at the conference in offering to aid other power boards to the fullest extent possible, and as far as its resources would permit.