HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18345, 10 March 1923, Page 8

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

_ .*. WAIKAREMOANA SCHEME. FIRST SECTION COMPLETED. FORMAL OPENING CEREMONY [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION. ] WAIBOA, Friday. The official opening of the first stage of the Waikaremoana hydro-electric power scheme took place to-day. The Hon. J. G. Coatee, Minister for Public; Works, performed the ceremony, turning on tlhe current at the head works near the lake, 28 miles from Wairoa. There was a large attendance from all parte of the East Coast, practically all the local bodies being represented. There were also some nine or ten members of Parliament present. The Maoris of the lake district assembled in strong force, and gave a typical native welcome. Appropriate speeches were delivered by Mr. G. C. Ormond, chairman of the Wairoa Power Board, Sir James Carroll, and the Hon. J. G. Coates. The Minister dealt with the history of the Dominion hydrc-electric development. He said the Government was now developing three key schemes in the North Island—Mangabao, Arapuci, and Waikaremoana. The last-mentioned would undoubtedly be the most important, and be the basis of reserve for all other schemes in the North Island. The Minister paid a tribute to the Maoris of thf/ district with regard to their generous dealing in respect of 70.000 acres of bush land skirttmr the shores of the lake, which was absolutely necessary for rain conservation. The present scheme had cost £47,000. The «hole work has been splendidly carried out by the Public Works men. A big Maori feast was afterwards provided for the whole of the visitors. The Minister afterwards turned on the power for the new electric motors at the Wairoa Freezing Works, the largest power jonsumora in the district.