HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1921, Page 4

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

FOURTH LINE PROPOSAL DROPPED, 0 THE TIME NOT OPPORTUNE. ——~ I Discussion on the report on the proposed fourth pipe-line from the newj forebay at the Waiwakaiho hydro-elec-, trie works,- was continued at last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council. The first paragraph of the report, which read as follows, was approved by the council: “That the consulting eng:neers be thanked for their report upon •he proposed fourth pipe-line fr>m the new forebay, and that they be informed that the council has no present intention of proceeding beyond the present scheme.” The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) said that as the present tunnel was already under way, an enlargement would entail a fresh grant of money, and everyone knew the present financial difficulties of the council. He did not think the council would be justified in incurring further liability at the present juncture, especially as tly* benefits to be derived from the scheme were only problematical. In regard to the diversion of the Stony River and other streams into the Waiwakaiho channel, Mr. Wilson said that many issues were involved. For instance, the residents in the vicinity of the Stony River required the powder therein offered by that river for their own use. Further, at the present time the channel of the Waiwakaiho was barely sufficient to carry its own flood water, and he asked what would be the result if other large streams were diverted into it. There was also the probability of legal actions to follow on damage done.

The present scheme, the Mayor said, would be sufficient to supply the needs of New Plymouth for a number of , years, and he considered the time would, be more opportune to attempt the larger schejne when the necessity arose. The large amount of loan money required to construct a 'tunnel to accommodate a fourth pipe-line (the estimated cost was £8500) would only be a burden on the council during the intervening years till the demand arose for< the increased power. Mr. Wilson that in view of the present state of; the borough finances he was compelled to disagree with the proposed scheme. Cr. W. Rumball said that in any case when the larger Government scheme came into operation the present scheme would be submerged. They could not divert the Stony River and other streams into the Waiwakaiho when the coastal settlers demanded the use of the powei that was evidently theirs by right. The general manager (Mr. F. T. Bellringer) said that there were immense possibilities before hydro-electric powei in Taranaki, and it would not be long before the transmission lines were pushed through to Eltham. He would no! like to see the usefulness of the Neu Plymouth scheme curtailed. Even whet the larger Government scheme was ii operation, the proposed enlarged loca< scheme would be of use to minimise th< risk Of a complete breakdown in thd event of a stoppage in the Government supply. Cr. V. Griffiths asked why discueeion was necessary, after the committee had given its considered report against the proposal. In his opinion it was time enough to incur a heavy expenditure when the demand for power was in sight. it was twenty years hence that tlie benefit would be derived from the proposed extensions, it was not fair to load the council with the liability at the present time. After further discussion it was decided to adopt the electric light and tramway committee’s recommendation that the extension proposals be dropped for the present.