TOAROHA POWER PROPOSAL SUGGESTED AS COAST STAND-BY

Grey River Argus, 5 October 1949, Page 3

TOAROHA POWER PROPOSAL SUGGESTED AS COAST STAND-BY

At the meeting of the Westland District Progress League at Hokitika last evening, the proposal, originally advanced by Mr C. -F. Parham ovei forty years ago at Hokitika, to generate power at the Toaroha Falls, in the upper reaches of the Hokitika River Valley, was discussed. The League decided to ascertain from the Minister of Works what consideration was being given to the West Coast in the matter of providing a hydro-gener-ating plant to ensure continuity of power' in the event of a breakdown on the main power supply. This decision was made after the secretary, Mr J. Saunders, read a letter from the Minister of Works, who stated that Dr J. L. Savage, of Denver, Colorado, U.S.A., was due to arrive in New Zealand on October 5 to report to the Government on the hydro-electric schemes either in the course of construction, or proposed to be constructed. The letter added: “Dr Savage was formerly the chief designing engineer of the Bureau of Reclamation in the United States, and is now a consultant in private practice. He will be here about six weeks, during which time he will be fully occupied on his Government assignment”. Members of the League asked whether it would not be possible for Mr Savage to visit the site for the proposed Toaroha power scheme, and to advise on its potentialities. It was pointed out, however, that in view of th e Government contract binding Dr Savage to investigate specific schemes only, any approach would have to be made to the Minister of Works, and thus avoid embarrassing Dr Savage. SOYA BEAN CULTURE Letters were received from the Department of Agriculture and the Cawthron Institute, Nelson, advising the League, in answer to their request for information concerning soya bean growing, that the West Coast would not be suitable for soya bean culture because of the high rainfall and the relatively low amount of sunshine during summer. SAWMILL WASTE Mr E; Green (Hokitika Progress League) referred to the question of the utilisation of waste from the West Coast sawmilling industry, especially sawdust, as fuel. It was decided that the secretary secure information from Idaho, U.S.A., concerning the possibilities of converting sawdust and discarded timber into household fuel. Suggesting that the League look into the matter, Mr Green said that American manufacturers had been able to make logs from sawdust at a minimum cost for several years. Such a venture, on the West Coast, would help solve the coal shortage, and provide a cheaper form of domestic fuel. Mr G. R. Harker, the chairman, said that, while in Vancouver, he had visited Limber mills, and found that they could not supply the demand for sawdust and waste timber required by fuel merchants. He had an idea that the logs were compressed sawdust and were simply processed. Those present were: Messrs G. R. Harker, W. D. Taylor, G. D. Smart, T. Blackie, T. Pratt, J. B. Bluett, H. G .Stiles, D. J. Scott, R. J. Truman, E. W. Green, D. Friedlander, G. Maunder, A. J. Rooney and J. Saunders. Westland Progress League Discussion Gold Industry in Westland. That representations be made to Rt. Hon. W. Nash, Minister of Finance urging that the Government will arrange for distribution to the various gold mining companies concerned of the monetary increase in value of gold produced on the West Coast and sold to the Reserve Bank since August, 1948, it being asumed that such gold is still in the ownership of the Reserve Bank. That Mr. J. B. Kent, M.P., be advised of the foregoing and requested to give his assistance in connection therewith. Delays at Inangahua Junction. That Newman Bros. Limited be written to regarding the great inconvenience caused to passengers from Nelson to Greymouth and Hokitika by the lengthy wait at Inangahua Junction and suggesting they might consider making a fresh application for a license for extension of their service from Inangahua Junction to Greymouth and promising the League's full support.

West Coast Publicity. That a grant of £2O be made to South Island Publicity Association towards the cost of producing a 1949 issue of the West Coast Guide Book. Tainui Street Railway Crossing.

That the Minister of Railways be requested to make the appointment of a crossing keeper at the Tainui Street railway intersection; failing such an appointment then we -desire the institution of other more satisfactory safety measures than the present one. Gorse “Weevils.”

That the Cawthron Institute, Nelson, be requested to make supplies of gorse “weevils” available for the Inchbonnie and Punakaiki districts. Revival of West Coast A & P Shows. That West Coast Federated Farmers b e requested to advise if consideration had been given to the suggestion that A & P Shows should be revived.

Approach to Borough—Cobden Bridge End.

That Mr. W. E. Puddy, Resident Civil Engineer, New Zealand Railways, be requested to give early attention to the matter of repairing the railway fence on the northern side of the main highway beyond Cobden Bridge; also arranging for the top rail to be painted, pointing out that the occupiers of land near Cobden Quarry have commenced beautification of the area by planting flowering shrubs along the road and railway line and it is considered the repair and painting of the fence would tend to improve the appearance of this entrance to the Borough.