POWER FOR WAIROA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 253, 20 July 1920, Page 4

POWER FOR WAIROA

GOVERNMENT TO CONSTRUCT HEADWORKS. Representatives of tho Wairoa Comity Council and tho Wairoa Borough Council interviewed the Minister of Publio Works last week regarding a local hydroelectric power scheme. Tho Minister suggested that thev should consult with tho officers of the Public Works Department, after stating his willingness to assist in every way possible. Yesterday morning the representatives mot tho Minister again. They had boon informed that the Department would instal ths headwords, which are to develop 1000-horse-power, and that tho Power Board to bo formed locally would, have to provido tho transmission lines. The delegates stated that a sum of about X50.C00 would bo required for the board's sharo of tho work, mid they nsked if the Government would advance a part of the money, tho balance to be raised locally. The 'Minister suggested that inquiries should-bo made of the State lending Departments. He pointed out that tho Power Board would have authority to .Issue debentures in tho ordinary way, and tho delegates agreed that thero would be no difficulty about raising money locally. • The district engineer of the Publio Works Department is reporting on the Wairoa scheme, a.nd his report should be available within tho next two or three weeks. Arrangements aro in hand for tho supply of materials, and there seems to be no reason why the Wairoa Bchcmo should not mako rapid progress.