HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1922, Page 5

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

HAWKE’S BAY REQUIREMENTS DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Lost Night. A deputation representing the Hawke’s Bay County Council asked the Minister of Public Works to-day what are the plans of the Government regarding the supply of hydro-electric power for the Hawke’s Bay country districts. The Minister was asked whether it was desirable to develop a small supply locally pending the completion of the Waikaremoana scheme. It wae stated that 60,000 kilowatts would be taken by the district. “We have gone into this thing very thoroughly,” said Mr. Coates in reply,” and we cannot consider anything but the policy of three big key stations. We cannot go hack on that plan. All the argument is in favor of the large* schemes. They may be more expensive for the first twenty years, but will, undoubtedly, be best for the future.” The Minister added that he was restricted in hydro-electric expenditure to one million sterling annually. He had to consider the commitments, and work each scheme in with the other. There had been no delay at Waikaremoana. Machinery that -will develop 1000 horsepower would be running in a few weeks. Of the £BO,OOO expended, more than half had been on reading which would enable the heavier machinery to Ibe transported when needed. Mr. Mason Chambers: If the local authorities started to develop locdl sources of power would it put back the Waikaremoana scheme? The Minister: Yas, until the power demand was sufficient to warrant going on at Waikaremoana.