“This New Zealand of Ours”

Southland Times, Issue 22074, 22 July 1933, Page 18

“This New Zealand of Ours”

RIVERS OF NEW ZEALAND. (Taken from a 1920 School Journal showing the difference between then and now.) “Some months ago we dealt with Lake Coleridge scheme of harnessing river-water to provide electricity for the South Island. It has now been decided to build a dam across the Harper River, in order to build it into the lake and thus provide an ample supply of water for obtaining an increase of power. “In the North Island the chief river that is being harnessed is the Waikato and it is hoped that in two or three years time there will be plenty of electric power for the northern half of the Dominion. This will further relieve the shortage of coal and assist in building up the industries of the Dominion. “The Waikato rises on the eastern slopes of Mt. Raupehu the highest mountain in the North Island. It is 215 miles in length—the longest river in New Zealand—but in point of size it comes second, for while it drains an area of 5,500 square miles the basin of the Clutha is 8,166 square miles. “The source of the Waikato is about 6,000 feet above sea-level and thence the river flows almost due north into

Lake Taupo. This lake is 1,211 feet above sea-level and it is estimated that if the river were fully harnessed between the lake and the sea it would develop 500,000 horse-power. There are several series of rapids in this course, in order, being the Huka, Aratiatia, Atiamuri, Arapuni, and Horakora. Below Cambridge there is very little fall and the river can be used by boats.” There was more in the journal but this bit serves to show the stride taken in the last 13 years. The following I got out of a 1915 journal. It was written under a picture of “H. M. S. New Zealand.” “Sending this picture to a friend in New Zealand, Commander Grace, says: H.M.S. New Zealand steaming into action at 26 knots off Heligoland. Taken from one of our destroyers about two hours before we sank the Koln. The Timaru white ensign is flying at the foretopmast head. We are all well and cheery. The foam at the bow of our old friend the battle-cruiser shows that she is anxious to take part in the com-ing-engagement. This took place on August 28 last year (1914) when a fleet of British cruisers and destroyers sank at least five German vessels and damaged others off Heligoland. The Koln was a new fast cruiser of 4,280 tons. —Sent in by Cousin Nancy Stevens.