WATER POWER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 236, 2 October 1908, Page 6

WATER POWER.

NEW MEASURE INTRODUCED. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Public Works Act is sought to be amended by a measure introduced by the Hon. Hall-Jones. Notwithstanding" anything contained in Part Xll. of the principal Act. or in the Post and TelnAct, 190S, the Government may from time to time by Qrder-in-Coune'il grant to any person or body corporate (called the licensee) a license t 0 use water from any fall, river, stream, or other source for the purpose of generating electricity for electric light, mechanical power, or other uses, and to exercise in respect of that purpose any of the powers and authorities hereinafter specified in that behalf. The license may be granted either in perpetuity or for such fixed period with or without a right of renewal as the Governor thinks fit, and may contain a provision empowering the Crown to acquire the undertaking of the licensee at a valuation which shall not include any sum in respect of goodwill. The Governor may aJso impose conditions determining the maximum charge ■which the licensee may make for the sale or supply of electricity, and may impose upon the licensee the duty of selling or supplying electricity to the public; otto any portion of the public, making him subject to penalties for non-perform-ance of his undertakings. In regard to claims for compensation for injury the licensee is in the same position as any local authority carrying out a public work.