HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3642, 1 December 1920, Page 4

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER

CONFERENCE AT MARTON. A conference of representatives oi local bodies interested in the formation :of a hydro-electrical power board for Wanganui-Eangitikei and rounding districts, was held at ton m Monday. Mr 3. r. Lethbridge, chairman oa Eangitikci County Council, presided! There were, also present: ,■ MessrsW. A. Vouch. M.P.; Mr j L, Birßs y . chief Government electrical engineer,' Messrs T. B. Williams, Mayor of Warn ganui; W. C. Kensington, 1.5i0., Mayor of Marton; A. Jobliu, Mayor of Taihape; W. Morrison, chairmen?

Waitotara County Council; A. Maci Intosh, chairman Wanganui County ~ i Council; also representatives of the i Wanganui, Marton, Taihape borough councils, Wanganui, Marton and Tafhape chambers of commerce; Gonville, Castleciiff, Bulls, Mangaweka, and Huntervillo town boards; and Gon-Ville-Castlecliff Tramway Board, Engineers of the various local bodies were also present. Mr Birks pointed out that whatever were the advantages of pewer !n the towns, it was of much greater ! value for the country. Electricity was a public supply, which could be carried to the consumers at a nominal - charge, and which would add greatly ito the conveniences of life. Where-

it had been installed it was a great | success. In Southland the people I were facing the question of a hydro- . I electrical power scheme with broaa i vision to develop the country. The reticulation of Lake Coleridge power was profitable in practically all cases I last year. He wanted to impress on them that the object he the ’ development of the country, and par--1 ticularly the backblccks. .The area should be the largest economical area possible with, community and trading interests. For rating and statistical purposes county boundaries should be used where possible. A proposed dis- 1 ( trict scheme for the North Island had been drawn up. The population oP | Wanganui and Rangitikei district's (inclusive of Waitotara County and to- ■ Bulls and Taihape) was 38,988, which ’ on a one to five allocation would mean 7900 horse-power. One "In five wouKP give an ample supply for some years.

and they could get on with one m ten. He did not expeot in New Zealand that the supply would ever keep up with the demand for electricity. Mr Luxford (Wanganui): Do yon think we have any chance of getting power from Mangahao? Mr Birks replied that it was a question for the Minister to discuss. All the- power required would be sup; plied in due course. Mr Luxford: Seeing that the Government intends to supply the Nortn Island with power is it worth while a small local body going in for a scheme of its own.

Mr Birks said it was a very btg question, it w'as a question of tne donfldence they had in the time the Government could supply it. Mr Veitch: That is exactly the point. •

! Mr Birks said it was a .question they should put to the Minister. Mr Veitch said they wanted to know when it would be likely that. Government power would be available in the back cf their minds. If hyrdo power was available from the Government . within two years in Wanganui, he [would feel inclined to advise the poo- | pis to wait for » the Government ' scheme. ! Mr Luxford: Suppose this district develops a power scheme of its own; what prospect is there of the Government taking it over? Mr Birks’ reply was non-committal.-, Mr Webb-Jones: It -is said that Wellington city can take nearly all, the power from Mangahao, and that only a small portion will be available for the rest of the district. In reply to quite a number of questions Mr Birks could only give noncommital replies, but he definitely refcommended that a power hoard should be formed for the full district set out. Mr H. W. Cooper moved that it be a recommendation to the local bodies represented to form a power board. Mr Jofalin asked what was the position of Taihape, where they already had borrowed £21,000, and had a power scheme.

Mr Birks pointed out that the question of joining a power board would lie with the Taihape ratepayers. The motion was carried nnamomusly.

It was decided that, the next conference should be held at Marton.