POSSIBLE SHORTAGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 43, 21 February 1939, Page 7

POSSIBLE SHORTAGE

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER NORTH ISLAND BOARDS TO CONFER t Pei Press Association.J AUCKLAND, Feb. 20. The possibility of a power shortage in the future and the desirability of having the matter discussed in conference, was referred io by Mr. E. W. Swain, secretary of the Electric-power Boards and Supply Authorities’ Association of New Zealand, in a letter discussed at a meeting of the Auckland Electric-power Board. The letter referred to the steps taken in the South Island in the matter and suggested that the North Island boards should do something similar, as in spite of the assurance of the Public Works Department to the contrary, Mr. Swain thought the position in the North Island was likely to be most embarrassing to the authorities if not this winter, certainly in 1940. Mangahao was completely loaded, he added, and the Stratford-Palmerston North line carried 33,000 to 35,000 kilowatts when it was designed for 20,000 kilowatts. Arapuni was taking the whole of the Waikato with nothing going over the spillway.

“While what Mr. Swain says is quite correct, there is no need for alarm," said Mr. R. H. Bartley, general manager to the board. ‘No doubt, as far as Arapuni is concerned, the la!*e at Taupo is very high and the generators at present are usii I practically the whole of the watci. That is because we are exporting so much to the south. Furthermore, wc have an ample reserve in the King's Wharf plant. There is also water enough at Arapuni for another unit.” It was also mentioned that preliminary surveys were being conducted for another plant near Cambridge. Mr. Bartley said that while the position was not so acute, much could be gained by a conference and it was decided to inform Mr. Swain that the board agreed that a conference would be advisable.