WATER-POWER.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 26, 31 January 1921, Page 7

WATER-POWER.

CANTERBURY'S REQUIREMENTS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday. About one hundred motor care went to Lake Coleridge to-day, taking 500 representatives from all parts of North and South Canterbury to meet the Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works. Mr. A. G. Henderson, president of the Progress League, said it was desired that Government should give help and encouragement in one of the principal things needed, electrical power. Greater results could be obtained by extending the scheme at Lake Coleridge than by any other in Canterbury 1 The province had the nucleus of a great industrial settlement, but the hydro-electrical scheme would have to be more fully developed. 'Mr. Raymond, Mayor of Timaru, said South Canterbury was anxious for electrical power, and was waiting to enjoy some of its advantages. Mr. Coates, in reply, said the Government recognised that the harnessing of water power was an immense advantage in that, among other things, it would go a long way in meeting the demand now made for coal. The coal position wae a serious one. The Government operations wore restricted only by the amount of money available for water power development. With regard to the question of the cost of new plant he had to proceed carefully. He had certain tenders now which he had been recommended to accept, but before lie agreed to them lie would have to see that they were in the bes.t interests of the country. He had no doubt if double the powercould be obtained from Lake Coleridge it could be sold in Canterbury, but'other places had to be considered. There was nothing to prevent the Government going to the ultimate capacity of Lake Coleridge but the lack of money. It was proposed to increase the output from Lake Coleridge.