POWER FOR QUEENSTOWN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19282, 20 September 1924, Page 7

POWER FOR QUEENSTOWN.

NEW HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEME.

ENTHUSIASTIC CELEBRATIONS,

(Feom Oub Special Repoetebb.) QUEENSTOWN, September 18. Thh evening the celebrations in connection with the inauguration of . our hydroelectric scheme were continued in the Garrison Hall, which was gaily decorated. The band was again in evidence, and the programme given before the proceedings commenced was much appreciated. Seated on the stage with the Mayor was a number of well-known business men, all more or less associated with or deeply interested in the development of hydro-elec-trioity in the dominion. His Worship the Mayor read apologies for absence, and congratulations from the Prime Minister, the Hon. J G. Coates (Minister of Public Works),‘the Hon. J. G. Anderson (Minister of Labour and Mines), and said that he had in his hand upwards of 100 other congratulatory messages. The Mayor tnen took bis hearers back to 30 years ago, when the Garrison Hall was electrically lit by a newer plant at Bullendale. Ho traced the various hydro-electric proposals that hxici been brought before the ratepayers. The first was on© to generate power from the Brewery Creek, Mr E. E. Stark being tho. engineer. This scheme was dropped as it was considered' there was not sufficiont power. The next proposal was to take power from tho Five-mile Creek, Lake Wnkatipu, then from the Kawarau Falls, and later from Wye Creek, Remarkables Range. Finally, it was decided to harness the One-mile Creek. This was first talked of two years ago. 'The present scheme would provide energy for lighting for small motors, and a variety of other purposes, but not at present for cooking. The mechanical work in connection with the scheme was beyond (criticism, and the engineer (Mr A. P. Aldridge) and all the workmen had done well by the council. Tho job was a very sound one indeed. There were some among them wdio would have been pleased to have seen tho scheme miscarry, but the engineer had promised to rectify any faults that might arise and put everything on a sound running basis before he handed tho plant over. Mr Black (Mayor of Alexandra and chairman of tho Central Otago Power Board) apologised for the absence of Mr S. B. Macdonald, chairman of the Otago Expansion League, and extended the congratulations of the board. Personally, ho was much interested in electrical enterprises, and for that reason ho and two other members of the Central Board had come up for tho official opening of the Queenstown scheme. Ho considered it a fine one for the town, and regretted that the Alexandra undertaking was not as far advanced. However, it would be by the end of the- year._ Mr Black commended the Mayor for his zeal in these matters, at the same time referring to his .inquiries re joining in with the Central Otago scheme when it was first mooted. The speaker trusted Queenstown would continue to climb the ladder of progress, and that the present scheme would bo attended with immediate results. Mr J. B. Shaddock, chairman of tho Woctric Lighting and Power Committee of the Dunedin City Council, apologised for the absence of the’ Mayor of Dunedin. Visitors to Queenstown, ho said, would appreciate tho introduction of electric light, and it would encourage others to come to the town. Tho borough had taken a good lead from the City of Dunedin, for as most people were aware the Otago capital was the pioneer of hydro-electricity in New Zealand, especially in a commercial relation. Mr Shaddock commended the ratepayers lor having consented to the scheme and he trusted they would exert a special effort to make it self-supporting, so that it would never bo a call! upon the rates. Ho was confident it would prove a paying proposition such as would encourage and justify the ratepayers m embarking at a future period on a drainage scheme. Mr J. Salmond (a councillor and resident of many years' standing) said he had been much impressed with Mr Le Hoyle’s (Southland Power Board) remark that afternoon anont progress. Ho (Cr Salmond) was in a fairly strong position to talk of the progress the town had made. The men ol the “early day’s’’ ora had erected some very fine public buildings in Queenstown, which was surely significant of their foresight and their faith. For a time tho town did not seem to grow, but the last three or four years hud witnessed much activity and promise. The hydro-electric scheme would be a great asset to a tourist and scenic resort like Queenstown and would, moreover, enhance its attractiveness from a residential standpoint. Mr Salmond concluded by according a generous meed of praise to the engineer, Mr A. P. Aldridge, and the men associated with him in the undertalcing, all of whom had been conscientious and willing workers. Mr R. C. Jones said this was no doubt a red letter day for Queenstown, and the event they were celebrating spoke progress. When the history of hydro-electricity in New Zealand camo to be written Queenstown would have a place on its first page—or it ought to have. A very interesting fact which was probably not very well known was that as far back as 1884 a hydro-electric plant was installed in the Phoenix Mine, Bullendale, Lake Wakatipu, for driving the quartz-crushing plant. This was the first mine in Now Zealand to embark on such an enterprise. Then in 1889 the Sandhills Mining Company installed a plant—the first of its loud m New Zealand—for gold dredging in the Shotovor River. Later, in 1890, electricity was n'sod for dredging purposes at Fourteen Mile Beach. Mr Jones also made reference to what had been don© by the Niagara Falls Electric Company in the generating of power. In concluding he heartily congratulated the city fathers and ratepayers on their schema and wished it every success. Mr Ashworth, Alexandra, spoke as one who had been born in Wakatipu and brought up amid its wonderful surroundings, which always made a call upon him despite his 25* years’ residence away from it. Ho congratulated the people of Queenstown on the fine start, they had made in matters electrical. Ho felt certain that when the immense advantages of electrical power were brought home to them the load would work up to a point when they would require to go in for an extension of tho system by bringing in tho Five Mile Creek. In Alexandra thev hoped to he linked up with the Te.viot system by the end of the year. Thera, of course, thev were going in for tho power for all household purposes as well as lighting. Mr John Cockbum referred to the disadvantages under which the people of Queenstown had been labouring in the way of lighting, but now their day had come. He felt sure that in the near future tho dominion would bo practically linked up electrically from one end to the other, and that in course of time now wonders and miracles would evolve from this remarkable element in its fuller development. Mr Coekhr.rn decided a study in contrasts between life in the early days of Wakatipu with all its privations and hardships, and life in these days of scientific discovery with all its advantages and conveniences. We owed the pioneers a groat debt for what they accomplished for us. H 0 would like to see a national memorial raised some day to their everlasting memory. After the pioneer camo the miner, the agriculturist, the wool-grower, and then the dairy farmer. Mr Oockburn predicted a great future for Queenstown, which had such an invaluable asset in its salubrious climate and wonderful scenery. Combine with these the amenities of life, the introduction of several of which they were celebrating to-day, and Queenstown could not fail to attract a very largo stream of tourists from year to year. Great credit was due to tho Mavor and councillors for their enterprise, which warranted hearty congratulations all round. Mr John George (Roxburgh), representing the Toviot Power Board, apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mr Waigth, chairman of tho board. He congratulated tho Borough Council on its forward step; also the ratepayers, for, after all, their sanction had to be sought and given. He was not long in the town before he discovered there were pessimists and croakers in the community. Tcviot had them too at first; there were none there now. Difficulties were bound to arise, but when the job was finished and handed over by their engineer, Mr Aldridge, he could assure the people of Queenstown from experience of him gained at Teviot that it would be found a model scheme and a model job. So popular was the Toviot scheme at Roxburgh there was scarcely a house there that bad not wired up. Mr James Ritchie, chairman of the Vincent County Council, extended his council’s congratulations and good wishes. He hoped the scheme would be successful, and that in time it would develop larger proportions, thus increasing its usefulness. He felt sure their example would shortly be emulated by other boroughs of similar dimensions, and that Queenstown people would recognise a drainage scheme as the next step forward. From what he knew of their Mayor, he would not rest content with an electric schema if the ratepayers would en-

courage him and stick to him through thick ami thin. The Mayor then proceeded to give some figures relative to the financing of the scheme, its maintenance, etc., after which Dr Anderson proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the ladies who had so ably managed the commissariat throughout the day. The hall was then cleared for dancing, which was carried on with much spirit till midnight. The attendance at the evening function was very large.