STATEMENT BY HON. J. G. COATES.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 134, 9 June 1920, Page 7

STATEMENT BY HON. J. G. COATES.

Speaking at Auckland of the progress of hydro-electric schemes in the North Island, and especially the Arapuni scheme, the Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister for Public Works, said that test work at Arapuni for the bottom of the dam was still being carried cut, raid that until these tests were completed it would bo useless to prepare for i-he construction of the dam at any particular spot. lie expressed a hope that the tests would prove satiefaefcory, for. the Department would then be able to go right ahead without further loss of time. "As a matter of fact," added Mr Coates, "the necessary material for the work is now being assembled, and once the tests are- completed we shall be in a position to-start on construction."

Discussing the Waikaremoana scheme, the Minister explained that \he Waikokopu railway authorised kst year Avas being pushed • along energetically, and that the plans and' specifications for the necessary road work contracts, so that building material coiild be canned from the railway to Waikaremoana, would be undertaken as soon as the engineers v, ere available to put on to the work. Meanwhile, all preliminary work had been put in hand in readiness for a sta.rt on the construction when matt rial reach<?d the ground. The work ut Mangahio was also developing satisfactorily. 5 The aim of the Department, explained, the Minister, was to have the three schemes progressing simultaneously in accordance .'with the recommendation of Mr Parry. "There has been some criticism about proceeding with the Waikaxemoani scheme until Hhe other systems are working," said .Mr Ccates, "but the Waika.Temoana scheme is really essential as a supplementary scheme to the Arapuni find Mangahao 'works.' It is, moreover, the simplest of the whole 'three to develop. The policy of the Government is to develop %h& hydro^elect trie energy of the couiitry as rapidly n,s \yo can get material *andt men to do the work. The ''.whole business is purely a commercial enterp'riso', and it is realised- that the sooner we can supply current the sooner will* the returns come in to pay interest on the capital money being expended on various works/