HUGE ELECTRICAL SCHEME.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 848, 21 June 1910, Page 4

HUGE ELECTRICAL SCHEME.

LAID BEFORE THE PREMIER. ■ The desirableness of securing a report on the feasibility of harnessing the waters of Lake Waikaremoana with a view of providing electric light'and power for the towns between (iisborne and Feilding was urged upon the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) yesterday by a deputation representing the Palmerston North Borough Counoil and Chamber of Commence. Captain Preecc said that Lake Waikaremoana was undoubtedly the largest source of electrical energy in the North Island. It was estimated that if its waters were harnessed 1-10.000 h.p. could be produced. There could be no doubt but that if the scliemo were undertaken the result would be that the industries of the districts affected would lie revolutionised. The towns which would bo served had a total population of <16.000, and it was reckoned that they could take iOOO h.p. Palmerston North alone could do with 950 h.p., but that included power for the Longburn Freezing Works. It was stated also that Irefore long Wellington could do with 30.0Q0 h.p. From Gisborne to Feilding was-ISO miles, but-elec-trical energy could be transmitted up to 300 miles profitably. One distinct advantage in connection with ilie lake was that there was no silt to interfere vrith tiie turbines. Then, again, perhaps tho Government might want to electrify a section of the railways near at hand. The Prime Minister (in reply) said that he could only tell the deputation that it was proposed to get the authority of Parliament this session to spend on tiio water power supplies of tho Dominion. Lake Waikaremoana would be considered together with other rivers and lakes which would como .into the proposal. Already the Government had obtained a good'deal of information abom what could be done in connection with various localities suitable forthe generation of electrical power. He knew the potentialities of Lake Waikaremoana quite well, and. when they were dealing with their proposals, it would be one of the places which would be considered. When the Government wonld commence operations was of course a verv different matter. All the places could not be doveloped at the one time; indeed, to give a reasonable supply of electrical energy for all the provincial centres would cost anvthing from fonr to eight millions. He was only too glad to be able to tell the deputation that the-Govern-ment intended to push matters ahead with a view of getting a practical start made. ______.