ELECTRIC POWER WORKS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 213, 3 June 1920, Page 4

ELECTRIC POWER WORKS

EXPERTS. MAT BE CONSULTED. Tho City Council last week decided to erect a new power station at the head of Evans Bay. This reversed the previous decision in favour of retaining and enlarging tho Harris Streot station to' make it a proper stand-by for the hydroelectric supply from Mangahao. The council also rejected a proposal that in view-of the differences of opinion among 1 the City Council's exnerts, further expert advice should be obtained. This double decision on tho face of it disposes of the, .matter finally, but there is much doubt still as to whether tho dispute can be regarded ns settled. Tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) said lie considered.that the subject could scarcely ho reopened now. But ho declared himself not opposed to a consultation of experts if that was desired, though ho was thoroughly satisfied that tho council was doing absolutely right as to the schemo and the site. He was onjjosed as a rule to tho bringing in of outside advisors in such matters, but this was an exceptional case, and if thero was a man of outstanding ability available, ho might wctl be consulted. Tho determination whether the retention ot the Harris Street site or ft removal to Evans Bay was ,tho soundest proposition would not be difficult for a properly equipped professional man to determine. There happened to bo such a man in Now Zealand now—Sir Arnold Gridley—who had been, head of the electrical engineering undertakings of.' the Ministry of Munitions during the war, He had been one of tho n-.ost outstanding engineers in connection with electrical engineering prior to tho war, and was appointed by the Government as its adviser on all cmestions of tho allocation and location of olants. For his services in that capacity lie was knighted. Possibly if the City Council invited him to act, ho would survey and report of the Wellington position. Mr. Luko added that ho would welcome such an invitation to Sir Arnold Gridley; and ho would nCso approve of Mr. Birks, Chief Electrical Engineer to the Public Works Department, being asked to report as well. The opinions which would thu# be obtained would be authoritative and free from all local prejudice.