FAIRLIE'S ELECTRICAL SCHEME.

Timaru Herald, Issue 170296, 14 August 1920, Page 9

FAIRLIE'S ELECTRICAL SCHEME.

"0, happy ye whose walls already rise!"-was the ejaculation of the future founder of the Roman State, when he found the Carthagenia.ll settlers already building their city. Something like the same thought may be breathed by the remainder of South Canterbury when it sees Eairlie about to instal its own water-power scheme for the supply of electricity, while Lake Coleridge is still a distant hope to other communities. The hist will be first when this Mackenzie enterprise. is completed. Waiting for a Government scheme is a trying experience for the rest of South Canterbury, but it is certain, from its position, that l?air.lie would have to wart. longer than any other part were its hopes pinned to any of the larger projects. The Eairlie people, in their special eircumsunres, have done better in deciding to instal a scheme of their own, and they are fortunate in the conditions that will enable them to do that with the minimum expense and risk. The scheme which they have approved promises to pay from the first. If power ever reaches them from a Government source it will still have its uses as a standby or auxiliary service- Akaroa, with something of the same situation as Fairlie, off the main track, among hills, has lntd its own electric water-power plant for years, and- is well pleased with it. That of Fairlie should be as •great a success.