COBB SCHEME

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 29 January 1936, Page 4

COBB SCHEME

POLICY OF GOVERNMENT POWER BOARD AWAITS ANNOUNCEMENT RESOLUTION REGARDING GOWAN PROPOSAL DEFEATED POSITION OF lIUME PIPE COMPANY During a discussion on the probable attitudo° of the Government towards tile development of the Cobb hydro-elec-tric scheme by a private company, a motion urging the Government to develop the Cowan River was placed before to-day’s meeting of tbe Waimea Power Board. The chairman (Mr H. Everett) pointed out that the Minister of Public Works, in the course of statements made while touring Nelson and the West Coast, had indicated that it was uncertain if tlie Government would grant a license to a private company for the development of the Cobb and other such schemes. Apparently nothing could be done regarding the Cobb until the Government s policy had been decided upon CITY COUNCIL CANNOT WAIT Mr F. W. Greenslade said the Minister had indicated that he was not altogether in favour of electric development by private enterprise, but that might not be his considered opinion when he knew the conditions of the license. The board should send a deputation to the Minister asking for an early indication of the policy and for a decision on the Cobb license. It could not be delayed. The City Council could not wait and must go on with its own scheme if something was not decided shortly. The chairman expressed the opinion that the Government would either give the district a Government scheme or else allow the present proposal to go ahead. The Government had in the past few weeks granted the Hume Pipe Company the asbestos rights in the district.- . Mr Greenslade said it was surprising that there was no intimation from the Hume Pipe Company in view of the request for confirmation of the formation of the subsidiary company in London.i

“HOODWINKED FOR TWO YEARS”

Mr W. Max saidt he had thought the matter over. He was pleased to read the statement of the Minister regarding the control of electric supplies. He was totally opposed to private enterprise in such matters. In regard to the Hume Pipe Company’s scheme Mr Max said: We-have been hoodwinked by them for two years. The board has done everything possible regarding the scheme and it is now, for the company to carry out its part. GOWAN SCHEME ADVOCATED Mr Max then moved tlie following motion : . “That this hoard co-operates with the Marlborough Power Board and Murchison County Council, to urge the Government to develop the Gowan scheme as the only satisfactory solution of the present difficulties, and to meet the electric energy requirements for the whole of the northern end of the South Island, and that a conference of all tlie local bodies interested be convened at an early date in Nelson, to which the Hon. the Minister of Public Works be invited to attend.”, The motion was seconded by Mr U B. Webby. ' COBB SCHEME SHOULD BE PURSUED M r Greenslade said he was surprised to hear the moving of such a motion when for three months the hoard had been at a point which looked like ending its difficulties. He thought the Cobb scheme should be pursued. In regard to the proposed conference, it would be remembered that a conference had been held recently, and all knew how far the districts could go in guarantees and that was not very far. It woijld be bad work to throw over what had already been done. Mr L. A. Higgins said he agreed with Mr Greenslade. If the Government refused to transfer the license from the Hume Company to the subsidiary company then something further could be done. He agreed that the Gowan might serve the whole of the northern end of the island, but he was not prepared to throw over the Cobb scheme. The Government should first he asked to decide immediately on the matter of the Cobb license. Then other matters could he considered if it was thought necessary MOTION UNWISE AT PRESENT Mr R. J. York said he would vote against the motion. It would be unwise at the present time to pass such a motion or suggest the Gowan or any other scheme. The time was not far distant when the Government would take control of all electrical concerns and the policy of the Government would probably be made known within a few weeks.

i\lr Max commented that he did not think there was a possible hope of the Cobb going any further. Mr J. G. Lancaster, consulting engineer, said as he knew the position, the Minister was touring the districts for inspection purposes and later his decision would be made known on possible sources of supply. “36 YEARS OF EGYPTIAN BONDAGE” Mr Mat stressed the fact that the matter was urgent in view of the position of the City Council, If the City was lost this district could not give adequate guarantees. “The company is fooling us, Mr Chairman; they’re playing ducks and drakes with us at the sacrifice of the people,” he said. The speaker added that he was not opposed to the Cobb scheme so long as it was a Government scheme. He would not set foot on the Cobb while it means “36 years of Egyptian bondage.” The chairman good humouredly remarked that he understood the dam for the Cobb scheme was to be named Lake Max.

Mr York said the Government had taken the initiative in the matter and it would be unwise to pass the motion suggesting any scheme. . The motion on being put to the meeting was defeated.