GREY POWER BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1928, Page 2

GREY POWER BOARD

A LIVELY DISCUSSION. There were some lively moments at the Grey Electric Power Board’s meeting on Wednesday evening, when a special report submitted by the engineer <m the question of increasing the Board’s supnlv was being discussed.

In his report the engineer stated that in the coming winter the overlapping lighting load in the late afternoon would, assuming there were no additions in the meantime, see the present plant running in the neighbourhood of full capacity. Even with some manipulations of the load, additional demands on the Board’s supply were anticipated, necessitating a plant capable of supplying 2500 kilowatts continuously under normal full lilted load conditions at the generating end of the transmission line. With the additional power required there were three .alternatives left to the Board (1): Install another steam turbine unit with boiler and auxiliaries, put a steam ring in the boiler room, fit in an economiser and improve the condensing arrangements; (2) buy power in hulk at Government rates, and build a bus tie transmission line with transformers and switch gear at Dobson, running the steam plant in para Hell with the water plant; (3) tiie Board to construct its own hydroelectric works at one of the sites available, using tile present steam plant as a standby or closing it down altogether, if, after experience, it was found that a stand by was not required' and there was no real reason why one should lie required. It would take two years to put a water-power plant into commercial operation. The chairman (Mr W. Greenslade) moved that the report he received, his motion being carried. Continuing, he said that the engineer had made investigations last Friday with regard to the possibilities of Crooked river, but owing to its low state, that river was out of the question. The Arnold river was very low, but there was plenty in it. Mr Robinson said the trouble with the Arnold was the cost. Besides, the Board was likely to be faced with the heavy compensation expenses from private property owners.

Afr 0. Uddstrom said that he did not think there would be any trouble regarding compensation costs. Unless investigations were completed, the consulting foes paid to Alessrs Viclcennan and Lancaster would lie wasted. Those engineers required informations of the How of the rivers when low.

Air J. B .Kent said that if the Board followed the advice of the engineers the steam plant would have to be scrapped. The chairman said that the figures supplied to Alessrs Vickerman and Lancaster were erroneous, and were thousands of pounds out.

AD' Kent: That makes the argument in favour of the hydro scheme all the better.

Air O’Brien: I want to have a say in the solution of what is the best scheme, independent of the engineers. AVe have had so many reports that I’m getting sick of them.

Air Uddstrom here put in anothei word for the Arnold scheme. Air Smeaton: If you are not toe one-eyed Afr Uddstrom, you’ll keep quiet.

Continuing, Air Smeaton said be would rather take the advice of the local engineers than any of the imported ones.

“Now, Mr Uddstrom. you can fire away,” said Mr Smeaton, “but I'm not taking your word regarding the Arnold scheme.” Afr Kent: I have every faith in Afessr.s Vickermnn and Lancaster, and wonUd like, a further report from those gentlemen. Their figures were not wrong, but were those which were supplied by the Board.

Mr Kent then moved that a subcommittee of three members be set up to act in conjunction with the engineer and secretary, with power to call in Alessrs Vickerman and Lancaster to complete their reports as offered. The motion was carried, r •'d the chairman. Alessrsr O’Brien a'.id Kent were appointed a sub-committee. Air Uddstrom: I would like to be oh that committee.

Air Smeaton: You are just the man 1 would not like to see on it. Air AV. Clayton then moved that the name of Air Uddstrom he added to the sub-committee.

The motion was seconded by Air Aful care.

Air O’Brien said that he had no objection to Afr Uddstrom. hut -that gentleman could not see anything hut the Arnold scheme.

Afr Uddstrom strongly objected to Air O’Brien’s remarks. AD- Mulcu re though there was no reason for Air Uddstrom feeling so indignant. “AVe are all likely to he unconsciously obsessed with some pet scheme.” he said.

After a further cross-fire of words across the table, the chairman put the motion to the meeting that Air l ddstrom’s name he added. The motion waws carried, Alessrrs O’Brrien and Smeaton dissenting.