CONTRIBUTED BY: MR. J. W. GREENSLADE, Mayor

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 September 1932, Page 2 (Supplement)

CONTRIBUTED BY: MR. J. W. GREENSLADE, Mayor

of Greymouth, sitting member of the Power Board, ex-Chairman, and ex-Chairman of the Finance Committee.

a long lapse of time, duel largely to weather conditions.: wearisome alike to both the Board and) contractors, with its attendant diffi-1 cullies and serious financial loss in i both cases, the hydro scheme is now I completed. As one who sponsored the scheme in the first instance, I am intensely interested in-the success of the change-over, especially as there has been such diverse expression of opinion. The scheme in itself is simple, and it can be assumed as safe and not likely to encounter difficulties that have been experienced in many other more ambitious schemes throughout New Zealand. It is also satisfactory to note that the contract price of £llB,OOO, plus the 10 pei- cent., will not be exceeded. This amount, so far as can be anticipated, will cover all extras that are likely to occur, and in addition the Board has used £7OOO of the amount in building the necessary lines. So, in this respect, the Board have a great deal to be thankful for. This is quite outside the question of losses sustained by the lapse of time and .consequent additional expensive duplication of costs in connection with the two plants. As to the ultimate wisdom of this .further expenditure, I think there can be no doubt. The new scheme doubles - the amount of power, and, should the anticipated figures eventuate without ' any added costs, the increased inter- I est bill will be fairly well met by i the decreased charges in wages, : fuel, depreciation, etc. From the new ;

[ plant we now have ample power to spare, and can look well ahead to carry any anticipated . load without anxiety, and at a price that will compare favourably with any scheme in New Zealand. It now remains with investors to apply this power to our raw materials, and create industry. We are unique in this respect—our eggs are not all in one basket. With our vast resources of coal and timber, agricultural and mining activities, there is a varied field for exploitation and opens up great avenues to which electrical energy can be applied. Coal distillation, paper pulp, and big mining enterprises, with many other potential industries, with cheap energy applied, should go far in coping with our local unemployment problem.

Our minds naturally at this juncture travel back to Mr H. F. Doogan, who blazed the trail and made the introduction of electricity possible, the benefits of which leave a lasting tribute to his memory. At the dam site to-morrow the sheet of -water now named “Lake Uddstrom” will for all time commemorate the name of Mr Charles Uddstrom, who never let up in his advocacy of the Arnold scheme. In conclusion, I believe that we have a great future, and that the clouds of depression will soon pass. The horizon of the future, so far as the West Coast is concerned, shows great possibilities, and I believe that the development of the Arnold scheme will play no mean part in the future prosperity and happiness of our people.