THE PRIME MINISTER.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 193, 9 May 1908, Page 5

THE PRIME MINISTER.

WEST COAST TOUR. , WATER-POWER FOR ELECTRIC . : • PURPOSES;.. .. . .(BY TKI.KGRAPH.—PREBB; ASSOCIATION.) • H okitika, May 8. J Tho Primo Minister (Sir Joseph Ward)' and l ; Lady Ward arrived hero yestenJay afternoon, j Sir Joseph immediately after arrival laid the j foundation stone of the hew public buildings, making a lengthy speech, in which he re-', ferred to the satisfactory progress of the ' district as proved by official figures.,- ( In tho evening tho Premior received a num-' ber of deputations, and .was subsequently' en-. tcrtained. by the-local bodies. In, the courso 1 of a speech ho made'special allusion t-o many', 'contemplated reforms in the Post and Telegraph service, - especially the 'early establish- ' me'nt of wireless tolegraphy.; . . • To-day, after visiting the hospital, he pro-' ceeded to'. Ross, via Kanicri and Rimu. : At-Rimu a very large gathcriftg: of miners assembled, who brought before him the necessity for granting. the application of a syndicate for 150 Government heads of water fromToaroha Canyon, .with tho view of developing electric power, and to. supply water for Rimu flat and .adjoining' terraces.' Very strong; representations were mado on this subject, and it was pointed out that tho i. granting of this, application meailt the. open- ' ing up of very extensive and''hitherto un-'. workable areas whifeh proved highly- payable, ■ but so far were unworkable owing ti.tho difficulty of getting water-at a sufficient'altitude. ' In roply, the Premier said tho promise made ' by the Mines Department to have the_ schema reported on by experts would be'tarried out.. Tho former policy of the Government to retain control .of the available„wat«r'powe^for. electric purposes was found impracticable : owing to the' enbrmdus. amount) £ Legislation would bp introduced next' sessions giving the Government power \to lease: water rights to companies with proper safeguards.' Sir Joseph consi4ered',tho matter introduced by-tho deputation of vital importance, to,the Dominion, and Iwas, glad. to expound the viows of' . The Ministerial party then left for Ross. They will return to-moTrow, and proceed direct to Reefton.