ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 123, 28 April 1925, Page 4

ELECTRICAL ENERGY

NEW ZEALAND MAY BE EXAMPLE TO WORLD.

.VIEWS OF HON. J. G. COATES.

Alucli was said at the luncheon at Bunny, thorpe yesterday following tho official opening of the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board s sub-station about many features of hydro-electrio development in tho Dominion.

Air F. M. Kissell, chief Government electrical engineer, who was the first to reply to the toast of “The Public Works Department,” said that tho manner in which the policy of tlie department in this connection had been received demonstrated effectively that it was the right one. Smal (local schemes, lie stated, might cater for one particular locality but having regard to the future of tho country as a whole it was generally agreed that the department was working on the right lines. In a few years, in lact, New Zealand would possess hydro-electric resources comparable with any other country in the world. It hud the experience of other and older countries to work upon and full advantage was being taken of that circumstance. Tlie business was a vast one and huge sums of money were to be invested in it. The Alungahuo plant was at present only generating about 7000 kilowatts, but it could attain an output of 24,000 kilowatts and it was hoped that something like that demand would be at tained in three or four years. It was required that the power boards make up tlie necessary demand for power so that there would be sufficient consumers to warrant other schemes being brought into commission. He hoped that in the years to come the department would bo able to continue to satisfactorily meet all requirements for power. DEPARTAIENT’S KEEN INTEREST. “Tho Public Works Department takes a very keen interest in the development of electrical power in tho Dominion,” said the Hon. J. G. Coates in supporting the reply of Air Kissell. Memoranda of every electrical scheme in the country was, lie said, preserved for tho purpose of making valuable comparisons and thereby mistakes were rectified und a general fund of useful information constituted for the use of all. New Zealand had been fortunate in its electrical enterprises because in the early stages it had had as one of those interested in the movement Air Hay, one of the most eminent members of Ins profession. Air Evan Parry was another engineer to whom they owed a great deal and later there was Air Bilks, whose ability and enthusiasm would live long in their memory. Now they had Air Kissell. a young man whose education was largely gained in New Zealand, but who also had made valuable studies abroad of schemes in different parts of the world. The department was bound to make some mis-’ takes—everyone did —but it was out to do its best, and was succeeding.

"Smaller electrical schemes directly affect the larger undertakings,” lie stated, “and it is the latter which affect all the people and which are the schemes to gei us there in the end.” Tho Government had been fortunate in possessing officers of such sterling character and energy, and with tho right perspective and the will to give effect quickly to the desires of the Government.

"Politics cannot and must not enter into largo Government works.” the Minister staled. Those concerned must bo able to discuss such matters without-any political bias and with- full and free discussion in order to do Ihe best for the country. Mr Coates proceeded to pay tribute to the pioneering work done by tlie men who iirs v tackled tlie problem of hydroelectric development. The present chief Government electrical engineer was a young man and he hoped that he had many years of useful service before him.

REFERENCE ’TO BOROUGH COUNCIL. "This is where -Mr Nathan, the .Mayor of Palmerston North, comes in,” said Air Coates. '1 huve been a long time leaning up fo )t, but I assure niin lhat lacan do no better than take Air Kisselludviee.” (Laughter.) lie added lhat the existing Palmerston North borough scheme might serve the ends of the town all right, for a few years but lie referred Air Nathuii to technical experts to learn wlrat was to be the relative position in years tp come. It was all a question of economics and prices. The sooner New' Zealand could secure prices which would' compare’ favourably with prices in other countries the sooner would valued interests be attracted to the Dominion, financiers invest here, and the secondary industries be developed, for they must bo in the years io come. •‘My job is to see that the policy of the Government is- given effect to in its entirety and not deviated from except i|i minor details,” .stated tho New Zealand we have started the triangle system and development depends upon the demand. As soon as that reaches the required point the sooner will the country reap its reward.”' The taxpayers money was perfectly safe for it was tlie duty ol tlie power boards to see that further rates were not struck after the rate for security of the loan had, Jjeen levied. Hie poivei boards should stand on their own ieet; he was satisfied that the power board scheme was thu. right one. The town load would help the country, and later the country consumers would help, the town <0 that they would arrive ut the ideal use of a block of power. If they hud had small schemes they Would not be so tar advanced as they were to-day. 1 hope that ultimately wc will be aide to touch oilier countries lessons in electricity. Instated. The Minister congratulated Air Nash on the achievement of the Alunv watu-Oroua lioaitl which, lm ( l cloiiq so utM in so short a time. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. Replying to the toast of the Alanawgl-u-Oroua Power Board, All J. A. Nash, -'LI., said: —"The electrification of New Zealand, which is now being carried out, is one of the most progressive moves yet made by any country in the world. Ihe Government deserves great credit lor tu foresight on embarking on the building of the three big hydro stations in the Norm Island, viz., Maugahao, Watkaremoana and Arapuni. On the steel structure over at the Public Works Department s sub-station vou perhaps noted that there aie ° m high power lines meeting. In a. f< j"', years two more lines wul be added * Wuikaremoana line being duplicate!, a further lino will go to Arapim. so hat virtually at this power board s sub-station we have the greatest concentration ol power in New Zealand. Consequent y tic chance of a breakdown wi,l be mote indeed, as we ahaU i 8 t mT’and which .means that its success u j The Government Las done its [TrT i.e boards are doing theirs, .and it pan me people to dp their part r« jUtArLw, ICd to say that in our district we find the People most enthusiastic and I am sure that this applies elsewheie.