Urgency of power plan

Press, 14 August 1976, Page 3

Urgency of power plan

Irritated by its failure to get a date from the M.P. for Rakaia, Mr C. C. A. McLachlan, to discuss the hydroelectric and irrigation scheme, based on Lake Coleridge water, the Malvern County Council yesterday telegraphed him, asking for urgency. Mr D. W. Mulholland told a meeting of the council that he had been concerned to read in “The Press” of August 9 a report from its Wellington reporter saying that, if the scheme was to proceed, pressure would have to be maintained on I the Ministry of Works and: Development and the New I

Zealand Electricity Department. The article said that it was unlikely that the local scheme would proceed until the supper and lower Clutha River and Clarence River schemes had been processed, said Cr Mulholland. “I think we should do everything possible to apply that pressure,” he said. “We have been trying for some time to get a meeting with Mr McLachlan to discuss various matters. The time has come to take urgent action. We should give him a date.” I It was disappointing that ’the meeting had been de-| Hayed, said the chairman (Mr’

G. E. Wright). The council wanted to call a meeting of those involved in the scheme, but wanted to discuss it first with Mr McLachlan. He should be “chased up." The County Clerk (Mr B. W. Perrin) said he had written to Mr McLachlan at the beginning of the week, again asking for a date. “Mr McLachlan is off to London very soon,” said Cr G. E. J. Hutton. “Then we can’t afford to give him a few days,” said Cr Mulholland. “We should [immediately send him a telegram, asking for the meetling.” This course was agreed to.