THE WAIKOHU SCHEME.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5537, 20 July 1920, Page 2

THE WAIKOHU SCHEME.

WILL BOROUGH COUNCIL TAKE

POWER?

REPLY WANTED BY SATURDAY

Tho latest developments in connection with the YVaikoim Hydro-electric project arc ot a particularly interesting character. In view of th t > action of*I’the 1 ’the Council at its last meeting, the directors of the company are demanding a definite reply by noon on Saturday to the application to ascertain whether the Council desire to be supplied with power JYom this source. The Town Clerk’s letter to the company on behalf of the Borough 'Council was as follows: —. “I am directed by the Gisborne Borough Council to 'acknowledge receipt of your communication C-l on the sth ins't., desiring to ascertain if the Council will become a consumer of power from WaikoW and also stating that your officers have all information as to rates of supply, etc., and suggesting a conference on the subject, and in reply have to state that the matter was placed before the Council at tlieir last meeting, when it was decided to write you and. suggest that full details of price to be charged the Council for current and the probable date when power will be available, together with any other .particulars you may have be supplied! to the Council, in order that they may become conversant with the proposition, and after considering same, should any points arise which will require an explanation, a. conference as suggested by you could be held. Trusting to receive full particulars at an early date.”

The following reply lias been sent to the Council:— ‘'The charge for power offered! to your Council ivill not exceed Id. per unit. The engineer’s estimate for the time required to commence the supply of power is two years. I have no other particulars to supply. It is assumed that your Council will proceed to provide reticulation in time for the full utilisation of power when available. As time is invaluable, I must ask for a definite and filial answer to the request contained in my letter of the sth inst. before noon on Saturday, tho 24th inst.” CONFERENCE SUGGESTED. The folitVving letter was received yesterday from the Cook County Council:—

11 AVlth reference to tho development of hydro-electric power for Poverty Bay and the East Coast, this Council considers it would he in the best interests of the disti ict if a conference were held to discuss the matter of suggesting to the Gisborne Hydro-Electric Engineering Company tlie advisability and practicability of diverting their efforts to the development of the Wakaremoana schemeFor this purpose your directors are invited to join the Cook County Council Gisborne Borough Council, and AA’aikohu County Council (and directors of the Company) at a conference next Friday, 23rd inst., at 2 p.m.. in the Cook County Council chambers. Probably your Board will not be meeting before that date, but as it is essential that the proposal should be dealt with as early as possible, i am directed to respectfully ask If you will be good enough to notify the members of your directorate, and request them to attend. It is desirable that there should be a representative attendance. The proposal is that the company be asked to undertake the development of Waikaremoana instead of AA’aikohu, the local bodies to render every assistance in their power m obtaining a transfer of the license, and thus have unanimity of effort hi securing electric power for this district.”

'\ h e following reply has been sent bv the directors: — '“[ have to thank you for your invitation to the directorate ot this company to attend a conference which your Council, in conjunction with the Gisborne Borough Council, has originated to consider a- proposal that this company should be asked to _ undertake tiie development of AA’aikaremoana instead of AA’aikohu. This company, after most protracted and exhaustive negotiations, is developing AVaikobu with the full approval ot the Government ill advance of supplementary aid to be afforded later from AA’nikareinoana by way of exchange to AA’aikobu. Our professional advisers have fully considered tip. relative ■advantages of original supply from Waikoiiu and AA'aikaremoana in all its phases and have decided the matter emphatically in favor of AA’aikolm. As laymen, the directors unhesitatingly accept the conclusion of their advisers. They are not in a position now, even if it were possible and desirable, which in our opinion it is no». to niter their plans. Under these circumstances, while the directors will always welcome aid from the local governing bodies, they do not consider the proposal to be submitted to them is' open, for discussion. To take part in such a conference would be to mislead the public, unsettle our shareholders, and indefinitely delay what we all desire—-the speedy supply of hydro-electric power to itho district.”