POWER SCHEME.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1921, Page 5

POWER SCHEME.

SUPPLIES FOR TARANAKI. POWER BOARD TO BE FORMED. IMPORTANCE OF WAIWAKAIHO. An important conference was held at ■Stratford yesterday between Mr. L. Birk's, Chief Government Electrical Engineer, and the members of the executive of the Taranaki Progress League, the object being to discuss with Air. Birks the whole question of hydroelectricity as affecting the province and the best means of getting to work in order that current may be available at the earliest opportunity. Mr. J. W. McMillan (Mayor of Stratford) occupied the chair and there were also present: Messrs. R. H. Piggott (Clifton County), E. Walter and T. R. Anderson (Stratford County), J. Sutherland and Winter (Inglewood BorW. J. Newton and A. Stewart (Stratford Borough), T. McPhillips (Waimate West County), T. A. Bridge (Kaupokonui Dairy Co.), J. Connett (Taranaki County), W. P. Kirkwood, D. J. Malone, J. C. Allen, G. E. Jago, and R. Masters, M.P. Mr. R. Masters welcomed Mr Birks to Taranaki, and mentioned that the people of the province were very keen to have the sources of supply for hydroelectricity developed as was being done in othei parte of the Dominion. Mr. McMillan also welcomed Mr. Birks and expressed the hope that the Government would give him every assistance towards developing the hydroelectric r’esoilrces of the province. The representatives present really wanted Mr. Birks’ advice as to how to go about the matter. He had noticed that the Government had practically decided that Taranaki should be divided into several power districts, but he (Mr. McMillan) thought it might be better to have one power district only. Mr. McMillan then referred to the New Plymouth scheme, and said that it would be to the advantage of the whole province if the Government would assist New Plymouth to raise the loan necessary for developing that scheme. ADVANTAGE OF BIG SCHEME. Mr. Birks said it was not necessary for them to discuss the advantages of hydro-electricity, as he would take it for granted that most of those present had had some experience of those advantages. The real advantages, however, were not felt until they went in for a big scheme. He did not consider hydro-electricity would have its full fruits until the time came when agents got out and ptished its sale on every farm. He wished to point out that hydro-electric power was going to pay even if the balance-sheet did not show much profit. The main object should be to increase the products from the soil, and that was where the chief gain came in. As a result of this appreciation of what hydro-electricity could do, the Electric Power Boards Act was passed in 1918, and the first power board to be formed was Southland, which, ifi regard to population, was similar to Taranaki. Other districts soon followed and now there were a good number of them throughout the Dominion. The principle had been affirmed that each power district should be large enough- 7 to have financial strength, that the population should be at least 5000, and should include both town and country, districts.

Referring to Taranaki, Mr. Birks said that the province had been divided into four proposed power districts —Patea, Hawera, Stratford and New Plymouth —but he quite approved of the suggestion that larger power districts be formed. In Taranaki there were two fairly large schemes—New Plymouth and Hawera—and two or three smaller ones. The first matter to consider was the best method of increasing the capacity, and he recommended that this should be done by joining each scheme up with the others. Under the power board every existing plant would be most useful, and he mentioned a number of cases as showing the advantages of joining the small schemes with the larger ones. LARGE SAVING INVOLVED.

Whether the Waiwakaiho scheme was the best in Taranaki had yet to be proved, but while in the province he intended to investigate it thoroughly. He knew that the scheme had been favorably reported on by Mr. Parry, who wanted a scheme of 10,000 h.p. to supplement a big Government scheme later on. Mr. Birks added that the Government’s mains would be coming through Taranaki in due course from other places, and when they did the Government would like to join up with local schemes. However, it was going to be some time before Taranaki could be supplied and when the big scheme was ready, whether it was to be a whole North Island scheme or several schemes, the Government was going to get its power from the cheapest source. The dearer plants would then be cleaned up and kept in order for use as stand-by plants, a& was done in Christchurch, where four big plants were used in this way. There would be difficulties in the way of getting co-operation in Taranaki, but that co-operation was absolutely necessary to get the best results. As showing the saving that was effected by the use of electricity Mr. Birks mentioned that each horse-power of electricity which was developed would save the country £4O in coal, or £6O in kerosene, or £BO or £9O in petrol per annum. The Waiwakaiho scheme would provide at least 5000 h.p., the Hawera scheme 400 h.p., and Patea, Stratford and other places had their own plants, all of which were useful. The most urgent, however, was the 5000 h.p. scheme, which would serve the largest district, and if a line was run from New Plymouth to Patea, most of the smaller stations could close down for part of the day, resulting in a great saving. ONE BOARD FOR TARANAKI. Mr. McMillan asked if in the event of small stations being started now, would the Government take them over later on as auxiliary power stations. Mr. Birks replied that the Government did not intend to do this, and if that was its intention, it would naturally start the small schemes itself. What the Government would do would be to pay for all current taken from the small stations.

In reply to Mr. Kirkwood, Mr. Biyks said he was very strongly in favor of one power board for the whole of Taranaki.

Mr. McMillan asked Mr: Birks if he did not think it was the duty of the Government to assist the New Plymouth sahpm®.

Mr. Birks replied that he was most anxious that the scheme should be developed in the interests of the farming Mr. Sutherland said that the Inglewood Borough Council had a small electric plant which was not big enough to supply all requirements. Instead of extending that plant they had entered into a contract with the New Plymouth Borough Council two years ago for a supply of current, but they were still unable to obtain the current owing to the New Plymouth scheme not being ready. Meanwhile they had to refuse further applications in Inglewood.

Mr. McPhillips asked if there was sufficient horse-power in the New Plymouth scheme to meet the requirements of the whole of Taranaki, because if not it might be better for South Taranaki to develop a separate scheme. Mr. Birks replied that the population of Taranaki was about 00,000, and it was usually estimated that one horsepower was required for each five of population. This would provide for the whole of the industrial, lighting and milking machine requirements, and also for most of the cooking. The New Plymouth scheme would provide from 5000 to 8000 h.p., which, together with the other smaller schemes, would be sufficient for about 40.000 people. This would just about do Tor the next five years until the Government’s bigger schemes were developed. Mr. McMillan asked when Taranaki could expect' current from the Government. Mr. Birks: Probably within five years. CONCENTRATION ON WAIWAKAIHO.

Mr. Walter asked if it might not be desirable to start a new scheme if the New Plymouth one did not come up to expectations. Mr. Birks replied that they mlist concentrate on the schemes already in hand. He would not recommend starting any others at present. In reply to Mr. Masters, Mr. Birks said that very little had been done at Arapuni, which was the source from which Taranaki could expect to obtain its- supply eventually. Mr Birks said that while in New Ply* mouth he would Endeavor to ascertain whether their scheme would provide 8000 h.p. After Mr. Birks had withdrawn, Mr. McMillan said that view of the assurance given by Mr. Birks that there was sufficient power available in Taranaki, he thought steps should be taken to form a power board. Mr Connett then moved that steps be taken to form a power board for the whole province. It was essential that they should take the advice given by Mr. Birks in regard to the matter. Mr. Piggott s&onded the motion, stating that he believed one power board for the whole province was the best proposition. After a brief discussion the motion was carried.