The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 1924. FOR TEKAPO.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 13 June 1924, Page 6

The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 1924. FOR TEKAPO.

There was no mistaking the tone of the large and representative attendance of citizens at the indignation meeting' held last night, to protest against . the unsatisfactory condition of affairs in connection with Coleridge .hydro-electric supply. It was overwhelmingly in favour of the early development of Tekapo as an all-sufficient source of electrical energy for this progressive district. The case against Coleridge was admirably put, the varied phases of the question being elucidated with commendable brevity and in the main, elaborated with convincing lucidity; Nevertheless there is a danger, as a speaker in the audience pointed out in the discussion following the set speeches, that the. agitation might end with the speecli-making. it is satisfactory to note, -however, that the formation of a Lake Tekapo development league is proposed, with the definite, objective of coordinating the many interests of South Canterbury and-, ultimately speaking with one united voice. The experiences of the people' of Timaru have arbused the public from their wonted apathy, and it speaks volumes for the determination of all sections of the community that the meeting last night was so surprisingly wellattended under most wretched climatic conditions. It is interesting to note, however, in passing, that the meeting _ narrowly missed being plunged into darkness, but an emphatic demonstration of the utter unreliability of Coleridge - supply was - witnessed in our reporters’ room last night, when the representatives of “The Herald” who attended the meeting could be seen preparing their reports by the dimly-burning candle. Within an hour of the conclusion of the meeting the light failed twice. In the course of the discussion several formidable bogeys, which have stalked the district, since the Power Board “lost its way,” as one speaker put it, were effectively laid to rest, and only a deplorable' lack of vision on the part of certain individual members of the Board could prompt a repetition of the so-called argument against the development of the Tekapo scheme', that the demand for electrical energy is insufficient to warrant, the undertaking- of sued ;a scheme. One of the speakers painted an appealing picture ol: the vast potentialities of the district from the point of view of industrial progress and the creation of a new industry based on the fixation of nitrates. It was shown most conclusively that, au extraordinarily wide field for development is practicable if ample supplies of cheap electrical energy are available. There is also the alternative mentioned by another speaker, who pointed out that the growing industrial centres to the north and south of Timaru which were being 1 rapidly developed On the sure and impregnable foundation of cheap power, might, not inconceivably grow, in a measure, at the expense of this district, and make our industrial aspirations un attainable. It was stated last night that South Canterbury's goal—the early development of Tekapo—is nearer being reached than most people imagine. This optimistic statement may or may not be justified by cold fact. Nevertheless, the enthusiasm displayed at, the meeting last night augurs well for the future, since unity of action and fixity of purpose can make the voice of South Canterbury heard in the councils of the nation, and compel attention to our just demands.