HYDRO-ELECTRICITY

Timaru Herald, Issue 170268, 13 July 1920, Page 3

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY

COLERIDGE AND OTAGO SCHEMES STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF PUBLIC WOBKS. (Special to the "Herald,").. WELLINGTON, July 12. Some information regarding hydroelectric power was placed before representatives of _ the Otago Exiwnsion; League, who interviewed the Minister of Public Work (Mr Coates) to-day. The deputation asked for an assurance that the development of hydro-electric power in Otago would proceed without delay. ' The speaker said .that when, cheap power from Lake Wanaka or elsewhere became available over 80,000 acres of fertile land in Central Otago could be placed under irrigation, with enormous profit to the Dominion. Mr Craigie said that Canterbury was interested in the Otago scheme, 'which should be regarded as a. national work. Timaru was to receive jsower from Lake Coleridge, but the amount of water there was not sufficient for all the Canterbury demand, and a larger scheme required to be linked up with the Coleridge scheme. It would pay New Zealand to push ahead with all the power schemes. The new Minister for Public Works could make a great name for himself if he went aiieact boldly, ! The Minister, in the course of Tiia reply, said that the demands for-Lake Coleridge power already exceeded the i ®upply, but when the new plant was installed the Department would be able to let Timaru have one thousand horse power. It was clear that more power was going to be required for Canterbury. Mr Coates said the development of power was dependent on the supply of engineers, material and labour. Funds had been voted for the works and nothing had been said by Ministers to suggest that the necessary money would not be forthcoming. The shortage of engineers was a special difficulty at present. Engineers were being tempted away from the Department by largo salaries, yet if the Government undertook to pay up to £IOOO a year in order to retain these engineers Jt would be in difficulties with the Public Service generally. Plans for the extension of the Lake Coleridge scheme were in hand, arid the Otago scheme was regarded by the Government as the next most important iu the South Island. The Otago scheme would certainly be proceeded with, but he did not wish to be tied down as to dates until he knew more than he did now of the prospects for the supply of labour and materials.