THE HYDRAULIC ELECTRICAL EXPERT

Evening Star, Issue 12028, 28 October 1903, Page 6

THE HYDRAULIC ELECTRICAL EXPERT

[Special to tils Stas.]

CHRISTCHURCH. October 28.

Mr Hancock, the. electrical expert, who arrived in Christchurch yesterday (Tuesday) morning, has not a great deal that is fresh to sny concerning Kia mission. He says that he is greatly impressed with the capabilities of the North Island in regard to the use of water-power. and the information hj. j has obtained, as wed as his own obs>ervations. convince him that this countrv is peculiarly well adapted for the utilisation of the water-power now going to waste. The configuration of the country, he finds, is very rimilur to that of California, especially the Bay Counties, the mountain with their torrential streams, rising close to the fertile plains and valleys. With more population and more money to spend in great enterprises, he secs a very promising manufacturing prospect for New Zealand! He cannot at present, of course, express anv definite opinion as to the. capabilities of Cariterhury or of any other part of the South Island, but he shows that be has l>een impressed with what he has seen in the North Island, and it is likely that his , report in that respect, at anv rate, will be very lavprable to the development of waterpower schemes. He bad an interview with Mr Dobson, the ChrisHaurch city engineer, and together with that gentleman and Mr Hay, of the Public Works Department, left yesterday aitemoon for the Waimakariri. The Rakaia. also will probably be examined by him, and lie will go to Otago and Sout'ahaid, and then to the West. Coast and back to Wellington. Pending the publication of his report he will have no further information to supply.