MANGAHAO WILL PAY.

Shannon News, 17 October 1922, Page 2

MANGAHAO WILL PAY.

Wellington, - Last NightIn referring to the suggestion of Dr Newman during the debate on the Electric-Power Boards Bill to-night that Mangahao was going to be a highly expensive scheme, and that Waikaremoana would have been preferable, the Minister of Public Works said that no doubt Waikaremoana would be a good" scheme, but he doubted if it was the cheapest scheme in New Zealand. Even at its maximum cost, he was inclined to say that the Arapuni scheme was the cheapest known so far, for the reason that it provided a very big development, but the trouble was that they could not use it all at once. Waikaremoana would cost £25 per (horsepower at the production point. Arapuni, if it got' from 78,000 to 90,000 horse-power, would cost £l2 per horsepower, and it could produce 130,000 horse-power. It had bee'rl said that Mangahao was not going to pay. That was simply an assumption, and it was not correct. It would pay, at standard rates. He was sorry he had not by him at the time the balance-sheet prepared to cover a period of years and allowing for the growth of the demand at once to 12,000 or 15,000 horsepower, but it would show that it would pay interest, sinking funds and 2 per cent depreciation very much more quickly than some other schemes.

The Horowhenua Power Board\contemplates having a great deal or its material and poles shipped through the port of Foxton, provided the conditions are suitable. The Board is advised that the average depth of water on the bar at spring tides is from Bft 9ins to 9ft 9ins, and at neap tides 7ft 3ins to 7ft 9 ins. The wharfage-on timber was 2d per 100 feet plus 10 per cent. The railway charge lor handling (not compulsory) was 6d per 7CO feet plus 10 per cent. Mr A. Seifert, a member of the Horowhenua. Electric Power Board, is at present visiting Australia, where he will spend six weeks. He was granted leave of absence at to-day’s meeting. The Power Board’s Engineer, Mr Overton, goes to Australia, probgbly next week, and he and Mr Seifert will -ct* in conjunction in'regard to the supply of hardwood poles for the Horowhenua district, tenders for which are to close at the end of the month.