LAKE BRUNNER.

Grey River Argus, 27 November 1920, Page 4

LAKE BRUNNER.

Having examined the outlet of the lake in the Arnold riVer, and folio wed its course to its outlet into the .Grey river, and measured its • velocity at several points which I found was at the rate of 132 feet in 18 seconds. I thei took a set of levels between the 15 and 12 mile pegs .cm the railway line and find that in a distance of J2O chains by the river there is a fall of 48 feet. If the river was turned into a race of about 70 chains long across the bend at the Patara sawmill, it would become a source of pow"er for producing electrical power which of course the expert will decide. Mr Naylor asked if it was not^a fact that owing to situation and surroundings it was impracticable to use Lake Brunner as a means of production of electricity. Mr O'Donnell said he thought that Lake Brunner could be harnessed, but there were certainly many difficulties in the way. Mr Doogan said this meeting should endeavour to do something. The lo- [ cal bodies bodies had power to advance money for a scheme. If local bodies were favourablo the Government should rio requested to send an expert to provide a report as to the power available and the cost of installation. He moved the meeting be in favour of inaugurating a scheme for providing a hydro-clcctric scheme. Ho favoured the formation of a Grey Electric Power Board. The local boards of a constituent district had power to constitute any sum up to £100 towards furthering a scheme. Bigger schemes had been undertaken elsewhere and there was no reason why the West Coast should not succeed in the matter. There was a Power Board already formed in Hokitika and Greymouth. should now make a move. The Government wcro willing to help and favoured different Boards combining to assist each other. The Govcrnmont had powor to take these plants over, would bear expenses of generating power, while the Boards would have to control tho distribution. Ho explained that £100 could be spent in the formation of each Power Board and upon the institution of these, authority could be obtained to raise money for the furtherance of a scheme He moved that "this meeting form the Greymouth District Electric Power Board." Mr Steer seconded tho motion which was camea. ' '^ "** Mr Doogan infoi-med the meeting I that in the position to the Government an area would have to be set out show

ing the exact district included by the Board) the number of members to represent the Board and the representation to be supplied by various local bodies. On the motion of Mr Doogan seconded by Mr Naylor it was resolved that the three Engineers Messrs Higgins O'Donnell and Gillies define the boundaries of the district to be controlled by the Board, and report to the Board and report to the Board immediately on completion of the work. Mr McLean said that the Hokitika Board might be able to give information which would serve as a guidtt to the Grey District Board. It was decided to meet on December 9th and receive the Engineers' reports. In the meantime the various local bodies will be circularised and asked to express an opinion as to their attitude towards furthering a scheme.