THE STATE HYDROELECTRIC SCHEMES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1264, 20 October 1911, Page 6

THE STATE HYDROELECTRIC SCHEMES.

(By Frederick Black, M.lnst.E.E.) That part of tho Public Works Statement dealing with the development of the water power monopoly held by tho Government, makes tame reading by comparison with last year's efforts. Tho nine great schemes of the Prime Minister aro no longer in view, and the country is not now tlirmtened with tens of thousands of h»rs»-powcr, (lung around wilh•nt ranch r*j«rd U whether population «onjijtod »f »eapl» irks livt bynianufncturiH', cr rabbits wb«st power wants Are eoniiiied to barwirinj. In eritioim'sj list pr»;rrnMMe— rt> amateurish fr«m »n eijineer's standpoint, so useful from a politician's point of view —I pointed out that, regarded a* commercial undertakings, only the. Wellington and Canterbury schemes were fit for the slightest consideration, that even in these two eases competition with modern gas and crude oil power for generating electricity would be severe, and that for regularity of service stations using coal or oil would be far superior to the hydro-electric supply. Tho Canterbury scheme is now tho only one actually under way; some few months ago the Minister for Public Works announced that an investigation of that market was quite unnecessary— could it not be seen staring ono in the face, so to speak? The Public 'Works Statement informs us, however, that tho market "has been investigated and tho requirements ascertained," for which return to sanity, even though no information on this vitallv important matter is vouchsafed, we should be thankful. As to Waikaremonna—that ninth scheme of last year, which so narrowly escaped being ieft out. in the cold—and Wniroa Falls, "preliminary steps are about to be taken for the development of power," and the engineer will visit them at an early date. Investigation of markets and estimates of cost of construction in these cases appear to follow the adoption of the schemes, instead of preceding them. Of the other schemes which twelve months ago captivated the fancy of poor manufacturers languishing the country over for want of those "thousands of horse-poxer going to waste"—where aro they? Reserved, no doubt, for the statements of a future day. Not even a word about Kaituna, that with its 130 miles of transmission line, much of it in vilely rough countrv. was going to compete with the cheapest coal and the lnf»«t-bijilt steamdriven rower station in New Zsaland. Is not this another injustice to old—Auckland?

It should not bo necessary, but it is, for me to again state that I am in no way opposed to the use of water power as such, nor to the development of municipal services utilising hydro-electric energy -old by the State at rrice? below the cost of fuel-derived energy. T am opposed to national schemes which have no hope of over meeting the competition of modern fuel-using stations, which must sell at a heavy loss to tho State or go without important consumers, which, in a word, are commercially unsound and will lie a burden to tho country. The Government has now an experienced engineer to advise it upon the development of its monopoly ; tho country has a right to know wh.it his advice is. and to be told something more than that a scheme has been investigated. What are Mr. Parry's conclusions hs to the probable sale of energy, the comnctition from oroducer gas and crude oil. the possibilities of developing an industrial demand in a country where the majority of "factories" employ but two, three, or four hands? To refer only to one of (hc=e items, the use of Dierel crude oil engines in this country is now increasing rapidly. Within the last few months, at least 'three electric generating stations—one a water power plant—have adopted them. The Government itself is fostering tho oil industry in every possible way—preparatory, no doubt, to declaring it also a State monopoly—and is thus creating a formidable competitor for its water powers. Tt is not di.Ticult to see what the inevitable march of events will be—huge amounts sunk in hydro-electric plants, wretched returns in most, esses on the capital, prohibition of use of crude nil for power, purposes, or, what.is much the same thing, an excise duty on the oil. commilsorv purchase of hydro-electrio energy bv local authorities for inumc.inal needs) finally State ownership of lighting and tramway systems (as well as of the bodies and souls of the users). There will 1>« much heard about patriotism and the need for supporting the groat ventures of tho State, but very little about cheap power. , . . To good Government, supporters who think all criticism of Government schemes n deviee of the Evil One, let me commend the following remarks of no less .an advocate of electric, undertakings t inn Mr George AVestinghouse, made Inst March before the Commercial Congress at Uhnta Mr. Westinghouso is head of the great American electrical company bearing his name, and was speaking on "Electricity in tho Development of tco South." Ho snid: "Tho plant of the Southern Power Company . . . formed the largest powei transmission system in the. south.. It was nrar-ra the most extensive end important in the country; its lines "(ended 1»0 mile., north and south, and K0 miles east and west, and connected into a simrlo hydro-electric power system, plants aggregating 100,000 horse-nower. ... J he company" furnished .light to 15 cities and towns, and supplied current to 100 sheet railwav [tramwavl systems, and to Hundreds 'of motors for various uses, yet it was understood that the millions already invested in the company had not yc-t yielded even a moderate net income to (Wo' who had put their money into an vestineiit which had benefited o hers more hail themselves." And that in a country teeming with population, and tho seat of"a great textile industry!

KARORI ATHLETIC CLUB.

The annual meeting of tho Karori Athletic Club, held last evening, was well attended Mr. D. W. Brigham presided. Tho annual report slatod that the number of members on the roll was 31 active and 12 honorary. The ba nncc-shcct showed a credit of M ss. 4A.. and an effort is to be mado during the coming season to strengthen the financial position of the club. Tlio club tenders its thanks to Messrs. B. W ■ Mills <]'id Co. for a trophy, to Messrs. ,T. C. Fulton, B. G 11. Burn, and 0. Cox for donations <nven during the year, to Messrs. J. Gov and A. C. Kitto for their services as linndicappers, to Mr. A. Ldwards for the use of a room for meetings, and to Messrs. G. W. Brighajn and G. A. \\eUmg for assistanceinmarkingic'iittho ground, bas evening meetings were held during tlio season five on the local recreation gronnd and one on tho Basin Keservc, and all events were keenly contested. F Turner and 11. A. Rolrertson w-cro tlio only members of tlio club to win open events (luring the season. The Challenge Cup, presented by Messrs. L. W. Mils and Co., was won by Mr. J. L. Picot, witli a total of H points (1 first and 2 seconds), Messrs. CI. YV. Davios and C. Spiers being runners up with S nouns each (1 first, 1 second, dead heat, and 1 tuird >- . ■ n. 1 . A TV following officers were elected:— President, Mr. D. I. Dasont; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. D. W. Brigham, E. B. Brlstow, B. 11. D. Burns, 0. Cox, B.h. Hammond, J. C. Pulton, and \V. Hildrcth; lion, secrotary, Mr. ,1. B. Jordan; lion, treasurer, Mr. L. J. Picot; committee, Messrs. M. Burnett, H. Cnrtwright, H. F. Colo, D. W. Davis, G. Finlayson, A. Kennedy, IC Spiers, and F. Turner; delegate to tho 'Wellington Centro, Mr. 0. W. Davies; auditon, Mr. F. A. Barclay. .

GYMNASTIC DISPLAY,

The annual gymnastic display of tho Young Men's Christian Association was held in tho gymnasium room, Y.M.C.A., in the presence of a largo number of pcoplo last evening. A lengthy programme of various gymnastic performances was successfully gono through Tho smartness of appearance of thoso performing ond tho neat way in which the various displays wero carried out, retlecled great credit on the instructor, Mr. C. N. Howard. An exhibition of club swinging was given by the physical instructor. Mr. T. Walker performed some weight-lifting fc,ats, which wc.ro much appreciated by tho audience. A very interesting jiu-jitsu match took placo between Messrs. Walker (strength) and Parker (science). Tho match resulted in a. win for science, Mr. Parker. Mrs. Mark, who presided at tho piano, supiilicd some very enjoyable nnwioal itoma,