POWER FOR OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1921, Page 6

POWER FOR OPUNAKE.

THE NEW POWER DISTRICT. Following the sanction of the Government to form a separate power district at Opunake, a meeting of the provisional committee took place on Tuesday evening, Mr. C. A. Trotter presided. Mr. H. Toogood, electrical engineer, was present, and reported that he had made strong representations to the chief electrical engineer and to the Public Works Department for permission to form a power board for Opunake, and he was pleased that sanction was obtained. Immediate action was now necessary in the direction of securing power for the district, the first step being the formation of a power board to govern the area for which a license had been granted. This area took in a nine mile radius, the boundaries being the Moutoti river on bhe north, and the Oeo river on the south, the area running right back to the forest reserve and taking in practically the whole of the Egmont County with the exception of the Rahotu riding. Mr. Toogood pointed out that there was a limit to the power available from the Waiau river, but with storage the district could safely count on connect-ng a load of 300 horse-power, which would be generated on a 30 per cent, load factor. If all power was on at once there would be sufficient to run for 8 hours. Water would have to be stored for. two-thirds of the time (16 hours) but there was plenty of room in the reservoir to do this, and it was quite safe. In reply to a question by Mr. Campbell regarding the inclusion of the whole county in the power district, Mr. Toogood said they could not include the whole of the county in the present scheme, but could take in any parts left out as an outer area, and later if there was any surplus power it could be supplied to this outer area. These out. side could petition to come into the district later.

Mr. Campbell urged that if it was at all practicable the whole of the county should be included. Mr. O’Brien asked what power could be generated above present requirements. Mr. Toogood replied that the sole source of power was in storage of the river, and power could not be generated for more than the 9 mile radius. When other rivers were harnessed power would be available for an outer area. Mr. Ferguson pointed out that the Taungatara river was a potential source of power that could easily be developed. This river was as good as the Kaupokonui at Kaponga from which 100 horse-power was to be generated. Mr. O’Brien moved that the power district as outlined Seconded by Mr. R. Morris, and carried. It was resolved that the power board consist of seven members, five from the country and ttvo from the town district. Mr. Toogood indicated what the procedure would be in connection with the formation of the Power Board A petition would have to be circulated in the area, and signed by at least 25 per cent, of the ratepayers. It would take about three months to form the board, and he took it that in the meantime the Town Board would go ahead with the work. Mr. Toogood said the foundation of the scheme was to the limit of the river power, and the machinery put in would develop the highest capacity of the river.

Mr. Campbell thought that full consideration should be given to future requirements. Mr. Toogood explained that with the present scheme an overload of 25 horse power could be generated for two hours at peak load. There was nothing to fear about the scheme not paying, for if run on business lines it should never be found necessary to strike a rate. The scheme would be a highly paying one. Mr. Trotter said sufficient money was in hand to carry on the work until about November There would be nothing gained by waiting for three months until the power board was formed. He moved: That in the opinion of this meeting it is advisable for the Town Board to go on with the work until such time as the power board is formed This was seconded by Mr. Campbell and carried. Cr. Ferguson remarked that in obtaining permission to form a power district Opunake had got. something at last, and they must not dilly-dally for one moment but go right ahead with the worfl. It was resolved that the power board be known as the Opunake Electric Power Board. To comply with Government regulations Mr. Chambers then moved: That the petition shall include a clause that the Minister may at his discretion merge the Opunake Electric Power Board into a larger board, with financial safeguards,

and that the Opunake Board take over the license to use water and run electric lines through the area granted to the Opunake Town Board. This was seconded by Mr. Baylis and carried. — Opunake Times.