POWER FROM KAWARAU.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19550, 5 August 1925, Page 10

POWER FROM KAWARAU.

AN IRRIGATION SCHEME. TREMENDOUS POSSIBILITIES. (From Od.h Own Con respondent.) CROMWELL, August 4. Some time ago reference was made in these columns to the proposal to generate hydro-electric power from the Kawarau River, the system of harnessing being to erect huge dams in the various gorges. The first contemplated, provided everything is in order, is in a gorge in the Kawarau just beyond the railhead at Cromwell, and the matter has been taken up by the Kawarau Company. When the H" fiters of the lake are held by the Kawarau dam no great engineering dfficulties would bo presented. The proposal is to supply practically unlimited power for irrigation, industrial and mining purposes, and incidentally dredging on the Clutha, which gives hopeful prospects of being revived. A complete survey of the possible land in the Clutha Valley which can reasonably be served has been made by Dir R. T. Sadd, former commissioner of Crown lands, and the plan is ready. The area favourable for irrigation up to the 250 ft level is approximately 43,000 acres, and what would be possible with this land under an abundant supply of water needs no explanation. With such a climate no land in Otago answers better to irrigation than this district, and education in the proper use of water is almost uncalled for. From the figures available the scheme will be remarkably cheap in view of the possible power, and any such scheme would be readily welcomed by the settlers inland further from what is available. The Government departments cannot fail to be impressed and no doubt a great deal more will bo heard of it in the near future. With the present an(l increasing demands for power it is quite evident that some big scheme must be put in hand, and anything within reason must be encouraged, especially when great possibilities of irrigation are held out. A syndicate with a fair capital started this week to test the ground on the Cornish Point junction of the Kawarau and Molyneux Rivers, where a rich lead is supposed to extend into the bank just above the original Hartley claim. Sinking and driving, assisted by n big pump ing- plant method, will bo adopted.