PLEA FOR ELECTRIC POWER

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2017, 26 March 1914, Page 5

PLEA FOR ELECTRIC POWER

BY MASTERTON BUSINESS MEN. (By Telegraph.—Special Heportor.i ' 1 ' : Masterton, March 25. , A proposal that tlie Government should give some attention to a schemo for harnessing the Ruamaliauga of Waijigawa Rivers was put before the Minister of Marino (the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher) to-day by a deputation representative of. the Masterton Chamber of Commerce. It was' pointed out that in-, dustrics in and arouud Masterton were at present strangled ,by the high cost of coal and th 6 railway* freights upon it. More industries, tho deputation urged, could be successfully carried on if cheaper motive power could be provided. Mr. J. C. Cooper, manager of the Waingawa Moat Company, caid that the coal bill for the company's works was £5200 per year,, and qven if elcctric power were available £1000 ; worth of coal would still bo required every year. He was informed that' tho Waingawa River could bo harnessed for £50,000. If the Government were not nrepared to undertake the work, lie believed his company would go on with it .if the Government gave permission. Mr. Fisher said tho scheme seemed a •eery feasible ono. He pointed out, however, that_ Masterton was lighted by -gas, supplied by tho borough, and tho . scheme a proposed might affect the gas enterprise. He promised to brimr.the matter under the notico of tlio Mihister of Public Works.