TURNING ON “THE JUICE.”

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2592, 10 March 1923, Page 7

TURNING ON “THE JUICE.”

NORTH ISLAND RESERVE BASE. (Per Press Association.) WAIROA, Last Night. The official opening of the first stage of the Waikaremoana hydroelectric power scheme, took place at mid-day to-day, when the Plon. J. G. Coates performed the ceremony of turning on the current at the headworks, near the lake, 25 miles from Wairoa. There was a large attendance from all parts of the district, as well as from ail over tho East Coast, practically ail local bodies being represented. There were also some nine or ten members of Parliament present. Tlx Maoris of the Lake district assembled in strong force, and gave a. real native welcome. Appropriate speeches were delivered by Mr G. C. Ormond, chairman of the Waoria Power Board, Sir James Carroll, and the Hon. J. g! Coates. The latter dealt with the history of the Dominion’s hydro-elec-tric development. The Government was now developing three key schemes in the North Island —Mangahao, Arapuni, and Waikaremoana. The lastmentioned would undoubtedly be the most important, and would be the basis of the reserve for ail other schemes in the North Island. The Minister paid a tribute to the generous dealings of the Maoris of the district with regard to seventy thousand acres of bush land skirting the shores of the Lake, which were absolutely necessity for rain conservation. The present scheme had cost £47,000. Much of the reading required to be done first, and the whole work had been splendidly carried out by Public Works Department men. A big Maori feast was afterwards provided for the whole of the visitors, and the Minister afterwards turned on the power for the new electric motors at the "Wairoa freezing works the largest power consumer, "a similar ceremony took place in the Borough at night, at which many complimentary speeches were madcThe banquet which followed was attended by a large and representative gathering.