HORA HORA POWER

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1920, Page 4

HORA HORA POWER

DISTRIBUTION DIFFICULTIES NO POLES FOR THE LINES.

Some concern lias been expressed in the Ivaikato district at the prospect of the power from the Hora Hora scheme not being available to the people for some considerable time. One estimate was that the power might not be available for eighteen months. This matter was referred lately to Sir William Fraser ,Alinister of Public Works. “The Hora Hora power is available to-day, and lam just as anxious to dispose of it as the local bodies are -to have it,” said the Minister. “The difficulty is that we cannot o-et hardwood timber for the poles of the transmission and distribution lines. Our difficulty in getting these poles is accentuated by thc engineers strike on the Australian const, which makes it impossible for u.s to obtain a vessel to bring timber across. I would point out also that there never lias been any official statement made by-me that the power would •not be available, but I certainly hope that it my he available in a much shorter time. The power is already being generated, but we intend to increase the production by installing two . new turbines ,and this we shall di as s°<>n as we get the material.” Sir William Fraser pointed out that the distribution of the uower was no such simple matter as many people rnpposed. It seemed that ’.her? wire people who were saying in effect that they ought to be able to get the power, seeing that the main transmission line from Hora Hora to Waihi passed their doors. But, he pointed out, it was not possible to tap that line, on which the current was carried at a very high voltage, and put it over distribution lines. First of all the current would have to he passed through a transforming station, and "broken down.” to make it usable by anybody. For this purpose he would* have to establish a transforming station, and build a circuit of distribution lines. On these lines he would eariy the current to the borders of the territories under the jurisdiction of the electric power boards, and there deliver it to the local authorities, who would distribute it to the consumers. The Minister said that initial steps had been taken already to establish three power boards—at Cambridge, Te AwaTiuitu, and Thames—but the personnel had not yet been elected. r l here had been a little delay in connection with the establishment of a hoard for the Hamilton area, hut this would not be serious. He pointed out that these boards would have to attend to the erection of their own distribution lines, and tliev would have just about as much work to do of this kind as would the Public Works Department.