HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2120, 27 April 1920, Page 2

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

LOCAL BODIES CONFERENCE. A conference of local bodies, convened by the Horowhenua County Council, was held at Levin on Saturday to consider the advisability or otherwise of forming an electric power district under the Electric Power Boards Act, 191 S, to control the distribution of electric power in this and the adjoining districts from the Mangahao hydro-electric scheme. Or. 0. A. Monk (chairman of the Horowhenua County Council) presided, and the following delegates were present; Messrs D. W. Matheson, F. E. Parker and B. R. Gardener (Levin'Borough Council), W. -Murdoch and 11. McMillan (Shannon Borough Council), Sir dames Wilson, A. E. Barber, If. 11. Hunt and A. K. Drew (Manawatu Comity Council), -I. P. Brandon and 11. Nicholson (Olaki Town Board); d. Chrystall (Foxton Borough. Council), W. d. Howell and Cooper (Unit Comity Council), and S. A. Broadbed (Horowhenua County Council).

The Chairman welcomed the delegates, and explained the reason of calling the delegates together, it was necessary for the district to take the power when it was available. It hud been staled that this -may be in live or ten years from now, but he felt that five years would be the outside lime. He (jointed out that Wellington was ready to receive the power now, and it this district waited and was not ready, it would he passed over. After all, the amount of power from Mangahao would be limited, and as there were numbers of factories, tlaxnnils, farms and private houses which would receive power and light, we wanted to see that our requirements were properly represented. But the chief matter of consideration was the formation or otherwise of an Electric Power Board for'this district. In this connect ion the various districts' under the Board could he served by one consulting engineer, which would-be an advantage in cutting down expense. The Chairman added that arrangements had been made for an officer of the Public Work's Department to be present to fully explain the details of the Mangahao scheme, hut so far he had not arrived.

Sir James Wilson suggested, with a. river like the Oban near at hand, it might be as well for Levin, Olaki and the Horowhenua County to start in on a local scheme for themselves. Whatever happened jt would always he it stand-by, and in a comparatively short time this district: could he supplied form its own scheme. This would be a much better idea than waiting for the-* Government supply, which may be many years in coming. He asked what had boon done locally in ease there was a shortage in the estimate from Mangahoa. The Chairman said nothing had been done, as they were wailing for the Government scheme. Tie agreed (hat with the Ohau and Waikamu* Rivers they could act on (he lines simgesled by Sir James, lint a large scheme could he more cheaply controlled than a number of small

-Sir dames said ;>t Mangaweka, lor ,CIO.(100 they hod secured a good electric supply, and Taihapo hud Hollowed on similar lines. Vi angamii was also talking o!‘ a local sclunne. Lie informed (lie meeting thal the came scheme ol' reliculalion would serve if they had their own supply or Government power were availaide. Tie considered that this district with the rivers available should seriously consider its own scheme, Cr. Parker said il was a question of cost as to whether a private or Government scheme could he the cheaper installed, lie agreed with the chairman that a laryer district could he cunt roiled al le-ser expense than a number of small districts. The Chairman said, on the question of expense, il depended a good deal where they wen 1 able to lap the main line, lie believed Levin was |o he i»ne of the sub-stations, and if others were provided at suitable centre- it meant il would reduce (lie eosl to eonsumei's.

Mr Chryslali commended the Horowhcmiu County Council in calling the conference, with which the T’oxton Borough. Council was quite sympathetic. lie thought they must have community of interest in (he success of u local district, but ibex must not have 100 largo a body. Mr Murdoch asked if the installation would eosl the same if. only a short distance from the main, or whether it were miles away.

The Chairman explained th:<t it was the (list rilml ion ami re”ii la lod use of power that controlled cost. For instance, the dairyman would use the po,wer first thing in the morning, and the factories took it after that, and so on. I hey were not using the maximum power, or “peak load, - ’ all the time, and this distribution of demand over the 24 hoars made the power eheaper. The Chairman then stated that a message had jus! been received from liie Public Works Department that two of the Department’.- experts wore at Hamilton on Friday, and the office knew nothin"' of the arrangements to visit Levin that day. It appeared, then, that the meeting had reached a dead end.

To bring the matter to a head, Mr Howell moved that a committee he set up to confer 'with the'Public Works Department, and obtain information and lay it: before a conference at a later dale.

The motion was seconded by Mr Xieolson. Mr Gardener considered the districts did not know exactly what they required, and it would be the committee’s duty to find out. Mr Drew* said he thought the in-

formation required could be gotfrom the Public Works Department. An inventory was taken by a De'part men tab official some time ago, and- the Manawatu County Council had been supplied with information it required under this head.

Mr Matheson said he considered that, they must lune something more definite to go to the people with than they had. It had been stated that they must have community of interest. So far they had only got into touch with the adjoining public bodies, and he inquired if they had any proposals.

Messrs Chrystall and Barber said as far as' they were concerned they had come to got information.

Sir dames Wilson considered the meeting would he wise to gather the requirements of the district, as suggested by Mr Gardner. This was being dime in the .Manawatu County

Mr .Matheson suggested that the meeting should adjourn and arrange a definite meeting with a Departmental otlieer. He moved this as an amendment, which was seconded by Mr Murdoch. After further discussion, the amendment was carried. The League Executive's report appears on the fourth page.