Manapouri Raising Supported

Press, Issue 32345, 10 July 1970, Page 24

Manapouri Raising Supported

(N.Z. Press Association) INVERCARGILL, July 9. The damage to the shoreline at Lake Monowai was worth creating to get four megawatts of power from the hydro station there, Mr W. Baird, chairman of the Southland County Council, told the Manapouri Commission of Inquiry in Invercargill today. He was being examined by Mr F. D. O’Flynn, Q.C., who is representing the Save Manapouri Committee. Mr Baird said in submissions to the three-man com-

mission that his council since 1959, had supported the raising of Manapouri in the provincial and national interest. It supported the use of the full hydro-electric potential of Lake Manapouri. The council, on a recent inspection, was of the' opinion it was possible to raise the lake without unduly destroying the shoreline provided clearing was done in the more frequented areas. “The full resources that nature provided- should be developed as they were by the pioneers,” he said. “No attempt was made to improve the submerged shoreline of Lake Monowai, but even so, when the council visited there under adverse conditions recently, there was already evidence

the lake was establishing an attractive new shoreline, which, in a few years, will undoubtedly be acceptable to all.”

Mr Baird earlier said that it should be remembered that Lake Monowai was harnessed nearly 50 years ago, when tools and equipment were primitive. “Cheap power is the only natural resource which attracts industry to the south and, while other potential alternative Sources of energy may be available in the South Island or from the national grid, this can only be developed at considerable extra cost.” Under examination, he said that no-one wanted to despoil Lake Manapouri. However, it offered job opportunities to

Southland and not only the smelter had to be considered. He mentioned the possibility of a ferro-silican industry. He agreed that after the council refused to support the petition against raising the lake there was a flood of letters to the “Southland Times,” seven-one against raising it. The council received verbal congratulations at its stand, he said. He did not know that county employees had requested a petition so that they could sign it. He could not agree that an alternative scheme should be developed at increased cost. “As much as you might like the present scenery, you have got to weigh it against the possible cost of an alternative,” Mr Baird said.