POWER SUPPLY

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 18898, 29 May 1936, Page 6

POWER SUPPLY

As the decision of the Government to provide electric power on the West Coast by carrying transmission lines. across Arthur’s Pass means dropping the proposal to construct a. large hydro-electric station in that part of the Dominion it will be generally approved. In the first place the capital cost of the latest proposal will be much below that of any construction scheme, and the power boards on the Coast will have available an alternative source of supply that will be of distinct value. The dredging operations are for an indefinite period and the expenditure of a lurge sum on hydro—electric works would not have been justified. In any case a plant erected on the conlfields would have been less costly to build and equip and would have met the requirements. The \Vaituki plant can now be used to supply the greater part. of Canterbury, thus freeing Lake Coleridge to meet the demand on the other side of the island. If the lines can be put through expeditiously they should solve the power problem on the West Coast and save the country heavy capital expenditure. The Government has found :1 practical way out of the diiliculty, ensuring power to assist the dredging industry.