The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1924. "SECRETS” THAT WERE THINLY VEILED.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9843, 23 October 1924, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1924. "SECRETS” THAT WERE THINLY VEILED.

The recent tour made by a section of the members of the Power Beard is likely to prove greatly in the interests of that body. What a pity it is that members of other local bodies here have not also gone afield on similar missions! It is, however disappointing that the wanderers were unable to tell the ratepayers all about the instructive information which they gleaned. Wo are, in particular, referring to the decision to hold back some of the statements made by Mr Kissell, the Chief Electrical Engineer,'during an interview which followed upon the deputationising of the Minister for Public Works. From what can be gathered, the interview was of a private nature—that is to say: press representatives were not invited to he present. But, for all that, it would not follow that what Mr Kissell told the deputation, 'was intended to be kept a close secret. At any rate, t-lie knowing section of the ratepayers must have felt, after reading the report of the proceedings at Saturday’s meeting, that so much leaked out that a great deal cannot have been hidden from them! The published answers to the questions put to t i- v Minister contain a wealth of interesting material from which, by deduction, quite a lot mav be inferred. Such being the case, is it not a fact that much speculation that ought to have been avoidable is certain to ensue ? Having omitted to secure the Sof Mr Kissell to make a as to his contentions, the i’ho ’interviewed him cannot, be blamed for their retilut they might have agreed a Mr Kissell with reference ilemma. As matters now * Beard cannot blame the ratepayers for coming to what would appear to be well-grounded conclusions as to what was left unsaid at Saturday's meeting. It is, for instance, very plain that both Mr Coates and Mr Kissell stuck to their original advice to the Board that Poverty Bay should wait for waterpower from Waikaremoana. In this regard, Mr Coates, at any rate, would appear to have treated solicitations in favor of the Waikoliu or any other local scheme somewhat with levity. The Board, he said, was quite at liberty "to go ahead with the TYaiRolui scheme. In other words, he meant, surely, that, if the ratepayers wanted a local scheme, that lyas their business ; he could not help it if they disregarded the Government's advice. But that was not all. In a very quiet way, he indicated to them that, in such an event, this district need not worry over the risk that the national scheme at Waikaremoana would enter into competition with any local scheme. Perhaps he should have been more definite and said that it might be found that, if Poverty Bay went iu for a local scheme, it would suit the Government to take the main transmission line of the future between Waikaremoana and Arapuni north via Ruakaturi Valley—and Poverty Bay wen Id be left to its own resources. Mr Coates also said that, if a local scheme were entered upon, his Government could not guarantee to take it over later on. That was a further 'rubbing in of the Government’s advice with a vengeance. His excuse under that particular heading was, too, somewhat fantastic, because it bore no relation to the question of the possible merits or demerits of any local scheme. When pressed further, Mr Coates, according to Mr Todd, did not seem at all impressed with the idea that a local scheme was needed to meet cases c-f breakdowns. lii characteristic vein, he told the deputation that breakdowns along the Waikaremoana line would be of- a

minimum number. Seemingly, lie was pressed further on the subject and obliged his interrogator by suggesting that the matter could form the subjects, of investigation. But the most humorous aspect of the whole business was contained in what Mr Wildish affirmed was Mr Coates’s attitude when he asked him if the Government would approve the establishment of what is known as the WaikoJTU scheme. Says Mr. Wildish: “He seemed staggered.” We may take it for granted, therefore, that Mr Coates’s general demeanour, even including Isis approval of the idea that the Board should appoint consulting engineers, was one of a challenge to that body. As for Mr Kissell’s attitude, it must also be held that, as it is “the Government’s contention that it could not stop local electrical works from operating, lie must have given the deputation a very plain hint that it would be in the best interests of the Board to gain control over the borough’s electrical works and so ri'l itself of the risk of competition from that quarter, and, incidentally, provide itself with a stand-by plant. The ratepayers must now see that the Board, by deciding to appoint consulting engineers, intends to take up Mr CoajjfPs’s “challenge” quite seriously. Itjfiay be able to® build up a strong case to the effect'that a local scheme

frould be preferable to Waikaremoana, Rut is it likely to convince Mr Kissell? As regards the Waikohu scheme, should it. not be persevered with, much sympathy will he extended to its shareholders, who could not be blamed if they lodged a moral claim for compensation from the Government—provided, of course, that they could prove that they were encourag.ed by the Government to embark on the project.