WAIMAKARIRI POWER SCHEME.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11097, 16 October 1901, Page 9

WAIMAKARIRI POWER SCHEME.

TO THE EDITOB OF THH 3PBBSS. Sir,—ln 189 i, when the Water Supply .Act waa passed, Parliament thoughtlessly gave the Selwyn County Council control of one- half of the. Waimakariri river and th» Waimakariri • Ashley Water Supply Board control of the other half, - These bodies ara using less than 100 feet of water a second between them. The .only measurement o$ the minimum flow at the Gorge gives nearly 2000 feet) a second. The city proposes to utilise a portion of this enormous supply of 1800 cubic feet 3second for tram traotion, 'lighting l , and power, -but these two local governing bodies stand in the way of progress by demanding such guarantees from the city as it would be insanity to concede, and, failing their demand being granted, they instruct their representatives in Parliament to block the City's Empowering Bill now before the House. If the email fanners were alive to their interests they would see that the stupidity of certain members of the Selwyn Council was not permitted to rob them of their nearest and beet market, viz., a populous and fully employed city population. Federation will limit their market and reduce the values of land and - produce. The folly of the Selwyn County Council threatens to aggrevate the evils which the Commonwealth policy promises to create. If the business men of Christchurch want to stave off the depression which many regard as inevitable, they would at once organise to force on the proposals which, seek to place within reach of this city and province the latent wealth of the Waimakariri river.—Yours, etc., PROGRESS. October sth. * £15 GAMAGE BICYCLE £15. Cheap. Rather! Why? Because they are sold direct to the public. No agents, canvassers, or commissions. Five pounds is thus saved on every Gamage Bicycle, and the public get a £20 bicycle for £15. Gamage Cash Cycle Company, High street, Christchnrch. B.W.