WESTLAND ELECTRIC POWER BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 12 February 1921, Page 1

WESTLAND ELECTRIC POWER BOARD

FRIDAV, FEB. llh

The Board met at 2.45 p.m. Present —Messrs TV. J. Butler (chair), T. TV. Duff, E. A. Wells, R. F. Perham. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The outward correspondence was read

and approved. Arising out of the latter it was resolved to ask the Minister of Public Works to kindly supply the Board with a copy of Mr Birk’s report oil Westland hydro-electric pov.er schemes lately in-

spected. INWARD .CORK ESPONDENCF

From Public Works Department, forwarding copy of warrant authorising first meeting of Board, and asking for natiles of Chairman and Secretary.— Read ved and complied with. From English Electric Coy., Ltd., Wellington, offering to quote' for electrical motors suitable for driving milking machines etc.—Received. From James Park, Hokitika, as follows:—I have been thinking over the preliminary meeting of the Electric Power Board held the other evening and the information which it was decided upon to send to Mr Tetnplin. From what he told me lie will need an Engineer’s flying survey before he can definitely speak or give a definite estimate. Of course this will he altogether a different phase from the question of the consumers. 1 think it Would be as well to put the following aspects of the matter before Mr Templin : SOURCES OF SUPPLY.

I.—Ktimara water race is limited in power and would involve the construction of a costly transmission line, say, to Kokatahi from .‘lO to do miles. It is said to have a generating power or capacity of 1,800 h.p. This is only enough power to supply a few of the mills in the district. Also would the Government lease or sell the water? And if so at what pricer Toarolm is quite a good source of

supply of 13,000 li.p. In this ease too, i here will he a long transmission lino say of about 2o miles or more to Hokitika.

A difficult piece of road work would require to he constructed at a very heavy cost. A mile or more of rock tunnelling is necessary before reaching the penstock. -If the Government could lie induced to join and take power for the Otira tunnel electrification this might make .the scheme feasible. 3.—Kanieri Lake: This appears to

l lie writer to he the ideal source. 1 have been told that the lake has a superficial surface of about 13 square miles with a great depth which makes it an ideal reservoir.

To bring the water on to the Blue iottle Terrace requires a tunnel 3 miles ong. The route is said to be through iard gravel. Three quarters of a mile if tunnel is already constructed which

could he utilised to a certain extent. The tunne) opens at two or three places into creeks which would require to he flumed or piped. But these creek open ings would cheapen the cost of the tun

nel construction because they shorten the track run at the time of construe-

ti<;n. as they allow for the tunnelling (oustmotion to proceed at different openings. The Lake ought to give a generating capacity up to 4000 h.p. without altering its present position. The lower end of the'tunnel is close to the source of electrical supply, having a fair number of mills and farms and Hokitika within a radius of six or seven miles from the power station. If further power is wanted a tunnel could be driven to the Arahura river, a point in from Geologist creek at the eastern end of the Lake. The Arahura here is at least 200 feet higher than the level of the lake. Tunnel about 2] miles long. This means that the eapacify of the Lake could be augmented by at least another 500 heads of water —an increase of 15,000 h.p. from the Lake source. In addition if the drop to the Lake were utilised in the future a large increase iii the power supply could be obtained. Against this proposition the present proprietors of the Lake Kanieri race would require to be bought outi IT this couM he arranged on reasonable terms the future of the Power Board would lie bright indeed.' I need not further 1 enlarge on the potentialities of this scheme. They are too obvious. 4.—The Severn scheme the greater possibilities of harnessing the water flowing through the Hbkitika river (huge. This is a beautiful rockhound (Luge where the confined waters of the Hokitika river flow tomulitioUslv on tlicir course. II this course w<Me darned 'up 60 feet a 'tail race cut at a d 'pth of 10 feet a head of over'fit) feet, could he obtained and the result wohld | n . over 5000 h.p. The transmission line to Hokitika would he about 21 miles through the best and most prosperous farming country in Westland and would pass several sawmills on the

way ill. , These sources of supply lor electric power are all available for investigation on the part of your Board—Received with thanks. prom Stuart and Chapman Ltd., Ross stating they would Acquire Electric power in the neighbourhood of 100 h.p. for saw milling operations—Jleeeiv- ; od. j From Butler Bros. Ltd.. Rnnlapu, reI plying that about 400 h.p. wohld he I their requirements for sawmilling operations—Received. } From Malfroy and Coy. stating they 'were at present using some 70 h.p.. 1 in sawmilling work, and electric powI or would be used if available at a satisfactory ' charge—Received. I From Manager Kokatahi Dairy Eae- * lory, indicating tliaf there were some 68 milk suppliers, milking 1487 cows in the district, several of the suppliers using milking machines.y-ReccivJcd. t p rom A. E. Hacltell, sawmUler, stating requirements for electric power,

if available at reasonable rate for log haulirig and milling.— Received. From Feeney Bros. Millers, also agreeing to take electric power if available as increased power would be ot considerable assistance.—Received From C. R. Orr-AValiter, Warden, slating request regarding applications for water rights of large volume in the power board area would be carefully examined before being dealt with, in order to safeguard public interests. —Received with thanks. From Alines Department considering application for utilising Kumara water race for hydro-electric power purposes. Received.

From Southland Electric Power Board regretting by-laws were not available as yet. - Received. From Kumara Dairy Coy., notifying six suppliers milking about 100 cows were in the Westland area, supplying milk to the factory. From Midland .Sawmilling Cov. stating horse power used at mills was f>s. and if electrical power were available it would be used.—Received. From P. .Tones and D. J. Smith, Kokatahi, intimating willingness to take light and power if available. —Received. From G. D. Wilson, Kumara Junction, replying in regard to electric power requirements for two sawmills which would be electrically equipped if power were forthcoming.— Received. From Thomas Stopforth stating he would be an applicant for electric power when available for farm purposes at K oitera ngi. R occi ved. From Public Works Department asking an expression of opinion as to the reasonable remuneration which might he paid to members for their services on the Board. Received ; members expressed a desire to net without remuneration till the Board’s operations were on a definite basis, and then “the amount actually and reasonably incurred”, in terms of the Act, might he paid.

> ( From National Bank of New Zealand * j thanking Board for appointment as J hankers, and intimating the extent of overdraft accommodation; also asking I for specimen signatures of those np- , pointed to sign cheques.—Received as ■ completely satisfactory. GENERAL. ]n the course of a general discussion mi the correspondence received, members expressed their satisfaction at tile very encouraging demand for power in tlie-district. The letters indicated that I the power available, it would be very ] v. itlelv nveiled of. As regards future action, the meeting discussed immediate measures to be taken. It was resolved to await a copy of Air Birks’ report for consideration and guidance, the 'matter tiV be taken up at next Board meeting. I It was resolved to enquire in regard to various rights in tlie district, the Chairman to act as considered necessary. 1 Messrs Butler, Perham. Dud and I .Murdoch were appointed a Finance [Committee, and Mr ‘Evans', treasurer. I \ny two members of the Finance Com- . mifitee with the treasurer to sign cheques The visit of Afr Birks was referred to in some detail and it was resolved to forward a letter of thanks to Air Birks for the prompt, manner in which he responded to the invitation to visit the district..

A map of the l’owcr District was laid on the table showing some 83 sawmills within the area and the estimated requirements for electric power were about 800 horse power. Tt was resolved l) locate the liom'esteads in various farming districts oil the map and prepare Mil estimate of possible jxiwer required.

The sub-committee with regard to power sources made an interim verbal report of an interesting interview with Mr Cranston oh 1 December ]4th. and it was resolved to defer further consideration pending the 1 ’ arrival" of the district rojtort’ffom "Mr Dirks. 1 The meetingconcluded at 4.15 o’clock.