HARNESSING WATER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 23 March 1910, Page 2

HARNESSING WATER.

NEW ZEALAND'S RESOURCES.

INTENTIONS OF THE GOVERN MENT.

[United Press Association.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday. The Prime Minister announced to-night that the Government had decided to control and develop the water power resources throughout New Zealand, and for that purpose to ask Parliament'* authority to expend ut pto £500.000 annually. "This is to Pliable water power to be used for public as well ns private pur (s-ist's ill (jiiiVi'pilt pa rip of lh'.' country," slated -Sir Joseph Ward. "The present method of leasing water power docs not appear to have worked at all satisfactorily, and considerable difficulties have been experienced in assenting to the requests of applicants for power. It is also evident that under I he leasine.; system a very n'liieh heavier charge wolibl be made to users of the power by private uiiclertiiKiiig-- than would lit' imposed by the State. In one instance what the counliy would got if it leased its water power would run in to £1 a 1000 hor-cpowrr per annum, while those who are endeavour lilg to obtain the option proposal to charge as high as £lO to privale users, so "that matter has been very troublesome. After carefully considering it. the Government decided to control the power itself, and to expend annually up to the sum mentioned upon its development, thus enabling users In obtain power at a rate verv much less than il could be obtained from private undertakings. The Government has decided to extend the electrical I'eneration plant at the Okere Falls, and'that at Rotorua is to be duplicated."