A BIG SCHEME.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 496, 23 September 1905, Page 2

A BIG SCHEME.

Napier Enterprise

Press Association.

. Napibr, Last Night. A large and representative meeting was hold in the Council Chambers this evening to consider the question of tho utilisation of the water-power of Lake Waikaremoana. It wa3 pointed out by speakers i hat the sum of dESO,OCO had boen placed on the estimates for developing power for electrical purposes, and that tho vast amount of waterpower available) at Waikaremoana should receive the consideration of the Government. Of the estimated force of 500,000 h.p. available from the various sources of water-power .in) the North Island lakep, Waikaremoana was capablo of supplying 140,000 h.p., a quantity more than sufficient for ib.9 whole of tho present needs of (he North Island.

Mr George Nelson urged that erory effort should be made to get the Government to develop this source ot power which could supply... Napier, Giaborne, Hastings and Wellington, and intermediate plaoes, and which would cause an immense impetus in the industry and development of those districts. He foresaw the time when the whole country would be reticulated by lines carrying electric power, and they should certainly not neglect such a splendid natural source of-power. ■- -v.

A petition was prepared for signature, asking the Government to set Hfide the sura for the purpose stated, and the following talegraui was forwarded to Mr A. L- D. Frassr, M.H.R: "An unusually large and representative meeting to-night; unanimously resolved to circulate a petition throughout Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay, urging upon the Government to include in the Supplementary Estimates tbla session a fufficient sum to commence initial work neoessary to utilise water power of Lake Waikarcmoana. Please inform Ministers,"

Mr George Nelson was appointed a delegate to Gisbonae to. enlist the cooperation of tbe residents of the district in presenting the petition.