THE COBB SCHEME

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 2 July 1936, Page 6

THE COBB SCHEME

AGREEMENT APPROVED BY MINISTER

TRANSFER TO BE SIGNED IN A DAY OR TWO

GOVERNMENT’S RIGHT TO TAKE PLANT AT ANY TIME

The Cobb hydro electric power scheme was mentioned by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, in his address at Motueka last evening. The Minister stated that the memorandum agreement'>was now prepared, and he had glanced at it and was satisfied that iL was clean. In the course of a day dv two he would be signing the. transfer to the ■subsidiary company 'formed .within New Zealand, and the work would begin. Mr Semple mentioned- that the license gave the Government .the right to take the plant over at any time, and that had been thought- a suitable clause by the Government when considering the transfer. The development of asbestos workings in the district was mentioned, and machinery for this, costing £IOO,OOO would be purchased. With the water scheme at Nelson, and the aerodrome job and the completion of the Westport-Inangahua line it was hoped to clean up the unemployed problem of this province altogether. Fifty men, the Minister also stated, would be' put to work forthwith on the Sandy Bay road.