ELECTRICAL ENERGY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12801, 23 October 1903, Page 5

ELECTRICAL ENERGY.

THE AMERICAN EXPERT. (Fnoit Our. Own Conr.iisroxDOT.)

WELLINGTON, October 22. llr L. M. Hancock, the water-power expert, who is to report to tlio Government on tlio water-power available in New Zealand for oloctrio lighting Mid power purposes, arrived in Wellington to-night. I endeavoured to secure his impressions o[ tho power available at the Huka Falls arid other places ho has visited, but Mr Hancock declined to discuss tlio subject, stating that ho must report to tho Minister of l'ublic Works. 11c stated, however, that lie war. most favourably impressed with tho many attractions of Now Zealand, which he regarded as a magnificent country, in which lie had been treated royally. Since his ariva.l in the colony from San Francisco Air Hancock has made excellent use of his time. From Auckland ho went northward and inspected tho Wairua Falls, near Whangarci. It is suggested that theso falls may be required to act as .in auxiliary to the Hukn Falls in view of the great extent of tho Auckland Penineulu; lieneo the visit of llr Hancock to the north of Auckland. On returning' to Auckland city ho left for Rotorua, and visited tho Okoro Stream, from which tlio electrical onevgy for Rotoriia township is obtained. Thence ho proceedod to Huka Fall?, on tlio Waikato River, a few miles from Lake Taupo. Ho stayed there two or three days, thoroughly inspecting the falls. lie then crossed Lake Haupo to Tokaanu, and wont on to Tailiape, stopping to examine the Knngitikei River. He has sincc inspected the M.l'mwr.tu Gorge. It was nleso suggested that ho should visit the Pohangina River near Pa'inerston North, but as his time is limited this proposal was abandoned. Tho expert is now to proceed through tho South Island, and will inspect the Waimakariri River in regard to the proposal to "harness" it for the simply of electrical energy for Christchurch. ITe is also to examine tho Southern Lakes, as it is suggested that more use can bo made of these lakes tlmn of tho rivers, and the decision of tho expert on this point will Tie of great interest. Mr TTnnenek is accompanied on his tour bv Mr P. S. Hay. cunerintonding engineer of ■the Public Works Department, who arrived with him in Wellington last night.