WAIMAKARIRI SCHEME.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18151, 14 August 1924, Page 14

WAIMAKARIRI SCHEME.

THE CITY AND COUNTRY. Ueplying to comments made recently by Mr Geo. Maginneas, a member of the Snring!«-EHesmere Power Board, regarding the interests of the country districts in relation to the City Council's Wannakariri power 6cheme, the-Mayor-(Mr J. A. Flesher) stated yes-teird:iy',tliat-the City Council did not waadt to undertake the work of supplying -'the whole of Canterbury with power. All the Council wanted was - the power to develop its statutory light regarding the Waimakann Beheme for the benefit of the city and not for anybody else. At the present time the -Council,' under its statute, .bad; the right to'proceed with - tho Wainiakariri scheme, but the borrowing powers in the Act Were limited to £300,000. What the city, now naked was that it should be given authority to' raise what money wj>s necessary to catty out the scheme, which would bo in &9?* Best interests not only of the city but of the country districts as twell. The Council would be quite will>iirg.to supply current to the Govern'ment at cost, plus 5 per cent., from • ?tie Waimakariri station for the'benefit .of the country districts. The Minister "; of 'Public Works himself <it the deputaition the previoua week recognised that ■ the city had rights regarding the Wai- , makariri which were .entitled to be respected. It was the concern of the City Council to get as cheap a supply a« possible for. the city and for the * country districts also should they wish -. to take the'Waimr.kariri power through i Government, to whom it would be roppiied in bulk.