Manawatu Evening Standard. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1938. A FINE ENDOWMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 21, 23 December 1938, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1938. A FINE ENDOWMENT.

WonderfultA; ' provided for by Nature in respect of water power for the generation of electricity, New Zealand bids fair to follow the example of Sweden and other of the older countries in becoming ■‘electrically minded” both in the industrial and domestic fields. Already there is ample evidence of the thoroughness with which the situation is being explored, and no lack of signs that the electrical industry will make a growing contribution to the welfare of the Dominion. Since the turn of the century extensive use has been made of hydro-electric power, but it is only since 1910 that it has been systematically developed. Advancement in recent years has been rapid—a corollary to industrial expansion—and there are indications that further extensions of plant in both islands will be required in the near future to meet the growing demands, particularly in the centenary year, when power consumption is expected to rise considerably. The tremendous advance that has been effected in' respect of generation and reticulation in a comparatively short time is apt to be under-estimated; in a few brief years the foundation has been laid for a service calculated to meet a progressive demand for electrical energy, and there is no doubt that it is sound.

* Tlie passing within a short time of each other of two men who gained prominence in connection with New Zealand’s hydro-electri-cal system attracts attention to the magnitude of the undertaking that has functioned so satisfactorily. Mr Evan Parry, whose death is reported from England, was the chief electrical engineer at a critical period of the process of development, and it was large*ly because of his foresight and faith in the Dominion to progress that the task was faced in its broad scope. “New Zealand, now at the outset of its career as a nation, has a unique opportunity of securing the utmost possible efficiency for all time by developing its water powers . on such a scale, and by providing for such a -vfide-reaching system of distribution, that electric power shall become available to every householder throughout the Dominion, and available at any point where circumstances require the application of power,” he stated in a report to Parliament in 1918'. Mr

Parry enunciated a scheme for the development of three principal sources of power—-Manga-lino, Waikaremoana, and Arapuni —and history has proved his calculations were correct. Eight years before work was commenced at Lake Coleridge, the first of the main Government generating stations, ‘but it remained for Mr Parry to set in motion ordered development in the North Island. By his experience abroad and his understanding of the potentialities of the Dominion in this particular direction he rendered a splendid service. The announcement of the death of Professor Hornell, in Sweden, too, directs attention to the scheme. He was called to New Zealand wdien difficulties arose at the site of the Arapuni plant and there were fears that it would have to be abandoned. The Swedish expert, however, held that it was quite reasonable to • have erected the dam and powerhouse at Arapuni, and the measures he recommended to remedy the defects have proved the wisdom of heeding his advice. There are big opportunities ahead of the industry in the coming days, and there is little doubt but that it will develop well beyond present expectations, but it is well to recall the contributions of those whose wisdom was brought to bear in laying the foundations for the superstructure.