DESTRUCTION OF RAPIDS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28447, 29 November 1957, Page 18

DESTRUCTION OF RAPIDS

Protests To Be Made

Because of the proposed destruction of the Aratiatia Rapids on the Waikato river to further the development of hydroelectric power in that area, the North Taranaki district council of the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture recently asked the Canterbury district council to support it in a remit to the Dominion Council, pressing for a protest to the Government against the destruction.

At the annual meeting of the Canterbury council it was decided to support the remit. “The only hope of saving the rapids is to use geothermal power,” said professor L. W. McCaskill. There were already five power stations o.i the Waikato river and three more were planned, he said. Between April 11 and 18 next year an international meeting oi horticulturists would be held at Nice, said the president (Mr D. Combridge) in his annual report. Officers elected were:—

President, Mr D. Combridge; vice-chairmen, Messrs C. E. Foweraker, J. W. Humm. and H. G. Gilpin; committee, Messrs J. Challenger, M. J. Barnett, J. H. Glazebrook, A. J. Healey, G. Howden, K. H. Marcusson, L. Metcalfe, S. A. La Roche, E. Taylor. J. O. Taylor. J. R. Templin, Professor L. W. McCaskill, Professor W. R. Philipson, and Dr. E. J. Godley; secretary, Mr G. G. Henderson; treasurer, Mr L. Metcalf.