HYDRO-ELECTRICITY

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14327, 18 October 1910, Page 2

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY

AND ITS USES. WILL IT BE BENEFICIAL? At the meeting of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce last night, a discussion took place on the proposals of the Government in regard to the utilisation of water for power purposes. ill- Turnbull said the matter was a very live one in Christchurch, and as it was of interest in Timaru also, he thought the Chamber should endeavour to get some one who would speak with authority to come to Timaru and give them au address upon it. It would be both interesting and useful to discuss the matter in all its bearings. It had been suggested that Mr G. T. Booth, of Christchurch, might come down and address them. llr Newman and Mr Priest both said that Mr Booth woukl be a very suitablo man to address them if he could be persuaded to come. He was a pleasant speaker, and one who could give a lot of valuable information. In reply to a question Mr Gillingliam said that so far as he knew nothing further had been done in the matter of storing water for power purposes near Fairlie. The survey had been made and he believed an estimate had been made of the cost of conserving the water at this particular place. The estimate ran into a good many thousands of pounds. Mr that while recognising the great value of electrical power they should look into the question as to whether the utilisation of water power was going to be an unmixed blessing. Mr Turnbull said that was the yiew which he took, and what they wanted was some one to give them an address on all the aspects of tlis proposal. Mr Giliingham thought that electrical power would bring benefit to a majority of the people if it did affect some adversely. Mr Turnbull thought the benefits would lie more imaginary than real. Mr Giiiingham stated that he thought the root of the whale matter was whether it is advisable for New Zealand, to attempt to become a manufacturing country for other than her own requirements. We were so far removed irom the markets of the world that he doubted whether it would pay us to attempt manufacturing lor export. ft was ultimately decided to ask Mr y. T. Booth to iiire an address on "tho feasibility of the Government's proposals in connection with the supply of power, and the effect it will have upon trade generally." The hope was expressed that there will he a large audience to hear Mr Booth.