HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10525, 28 February 1920, Page 6

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER

WAIKAREMOANA SCHEME GOVERNMENT URGED TO ACT AT ONCE, PEE PEESS ASSOCIATION. * WAIBiOA, February 27. An important hydro-electric confel'i ence of local bodies on the East Coast was held yesterday, and marked a singular determination and unanimity. There were present:—Mr J. ‘Vigor Brown, M.P., Mr'Kessell, representing the Government, and twelve outside bodies, and all local ones.

It was resolved that the harnessing of Waikaroraoana was essential to the life of the East Coast and calling on the Government to state its intentions without delay; whether it intends to do the work, and if so, to fix the date for commencing and finishing. A resolution was carried in favour of the contract system as expediting the work and calling lenders in afid outside, of New Zealand.

A deputation of fourteen of those present was appointed to push the matter. ThewAVellington Cork Company was appointed convenor of further meetings. After the conference, Mr Matthews, chairman, sent the following message to the Premier: —“Conference of thirty delegates of local bodies in Poverty Bay, Wairoa. and Hawke’s Bay was held at "Wairoa to-day re Waikaremoana hydro-electric' development scheme It was unanimously agreed that the*immediate prosecution of ttm scheme was urgently required. Fourteen delegates were appointed to proceed to Wellington to interview you. Please say what date is convenient to you.”. . Mr Matthews received the following telegram from the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, who is at Rotorua: “Regret that owing to the continued we't, weather here it is. impossible to get . away. I am convinced that although there certainly will be some difficulty to overcome, the Waikaremoana scheme should be commenced at once. The coal and shipping difficulty cannot he overcome for some time, and the only sound and sane proposition is hydro-electric power; and it only needs determination to get tlio scheme geiug. Don’t.be put on. Urge the Government to get a report from the present chief electrical engineer. He is a man, of energy, and go and 1 am strongly of the opinion that if the Government , back him, he will get the AVaikaremoana scheme in operation at Once, ‘and thus remove present and further anxiety in regard to cold storage for Wairoa, Gisborne, and Hawke's Bay.” - GISBORNE ENTERPRISE. GISBORNE, February 27. The minimum subscription necessary to secure tho flotation of. the Waikohu Hydro-Klee trie Company, a local enterprise Which is prepared to supply Gisborne and district with 8000 h.p, -:electrical energy, has been secured. Immediate, steps are to be taken to secure a license promised by the’ Minister for Public AVorks. : W"'"' "