POWER LINK TO NELSON

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27576, 5 February 1955, Page 6

POWER LINK TO NELSON

Completion Of Air Survey

ENGINEERS USE AERO CLUB PLANE

An aerial survey to map the route for a possible hydro-electric power line from Canterbury to Marlborough and Nelson was made this week by engineers of the State Hydro-electric Department from Christchurch and Wellington. They flew from Christchurch to Blenheim and Nelson in the Canterbury Aero Club’s Dragonfly, which was piloted by the club’s chief instructor (Mr J. D. Neave).

On Thursday, the aircraft flew up the east coast and returned to Christchurch by way of the Kaikoura route, after four hours and a half in the air. Yesterday, the Dragonfly left Harewood at 8.30 a.m. ajid flew by the inland" route to Nelson over North Canterbury, Hanmer Springs, the Rainbow and Wairau rivers, and then from Tophouse to Nelson. It returned at 4.30 p.m. by a slightly different route.

According to a Press Association message from Blenheim, the general manager of the State Hydro-electric* Department (Mr A. E. Davenport) said there were certain awkward spots on both routes to be observed. The weather had been most suitable for the department to adhere to its promise that a survey would be made this week.

Mr Davenport said that, when reports were available, he and the Minister in charge of the department (Mr W. S. Goosman) would discuss the electricity supply problem at a meeting to be held in either Nelson or Marlborough. The problem was common to both provinces, and only one meeting should be necessary.