NELSON NEWS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21197, 22 June 1934, Page 18

NELSON NEWS

* HARNESSING OF COBB RIVER PRIME MINISTER'S REPLY TO REQUEST (BPICIAL 70 THE PEISS.) NELSON, June 21. Last month the Waimea Electric Power Board requested the Government to consider the harnessing of the Cobb river for the supply of bulk power to the Nelson district, or alternatively, to grant a license to a pri- , vate company, which proposed to install a hydro-electric station, providing suitable arrangements could be made with the local authorities. The board has now received from the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, a letter stating that on certain conditions the Government would grant a license to the Hume Pipe Company. The letter stated that the terms would embody the Government's conditions governing licenses to develop electric power, and would, in addition, contain special conditions safeguarding the interests of the power boards concerned. "These special conditions will cover such things as the date of completion, the price of bulk supply, selling rights, and right of purchase, which have been discussed by you with the proposed licensee and then with the Government," the Prime Minister's letter 1 continued. "When we hear from the company that it is prepared to up the license on these general terms, a formal draft license will be prepared and will be submitted for your perusal before final issue." The power board has written to the company asking that a detailed scheme be prepared as soon as possible, in view of necessary extensions to various schemes in the district. District Power Scheme Discussing the possibility of a district scheme to-day, the Mayor of Nelson (Mr Moffatt) said Nelson, as the chief centre of population in the district, was naturally interested in anything that tended towards the progress of tne surrounding country areas, upon which the city was largely dependent for its prosperity. The City Council realised that the whole question of electric energy for the combined city and country districts would in all probability come up for consideration. This, however, might soon resolve itself into a policy matter, and he preferred to leave any statement in that direction for the council itself. At the same time, it could be said that the council realised that cheap electrical energy was of very general importance to both the city and the district, and he felt sure the council would co-operate fully in any scheme put forward, provided it was in the best interests of the people. Use of British Material The Waimea Electric Power Board, at its monthly meeting, received from the Motueka District Export Fruit Growers' Association, a strong protest against the use of other than British material in the installations in the Motueka area. The consulting engineer explained that the only materials used which were not British were opal lamp shades. Mr R. J. York said that the board's policy throughout had been for the use of British material. Mr S. E. O'Hara moved that a reply - » be sent explaining the position as outlined by the engineer. "When the fruit growers can show us any points in patriotism, and in the use of British goods, this board will be pleased to hear them," he said. Mr F. W. Greensl ae strongly objected to any Japanese goods'being used,'even if the British price was twice as great The explanation that only a small portion of the material in the shades was not British was satisfactory; but he did not think even one item should be Japanese. "I would not be a party to using Japanese shades, even if they were given to us," he said. _ Mr York: I hope the fruit growers use only British and not American cars, and only British and not American plant and machines. . Mr R. Freeman: And only British be Mr m S'Hara: And not use Japanese gumboots. Let him who is without sin be the first to cast a stone, and then we'll be all right . Mr O'Hara's motion was carried.