WAITAKI SCHEME.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17943, 30 April 1928, Page 8

WAITAKI SCHEME.

CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL INSPECTION. —l— : LOWER SITE ABANDONED. (Special to the “Herald;”) OAMARU, April 29. The Rev. J. K. Archer (Mayor), Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P. (Deputy-Mayor),: Councillors Sharp and Beaveii, Mr E. Kitchenck (manager of Municipal Electricity Department), arrived from Christchurch on Friday, accompanied by Mr J. Bitchener, M.P., to make an inspection of the Waitaki hydro-elec-tric power site. They were entertained at dinner in the evening, among those present being the Mayor of Oamaru (Mr F. Crawshaw), and Mr, E. P. Lee, M.P., J. McLaren (Town Clerk). After dinner, an informal, discussion! took place regarding the object' of the Tlie Mayor of Christchurch , said he hoped they would be succcssful in pushing the Government to commence earnest development of the Waitaki project, immediately. . . „ Mr Sullivan, and Mr Bitchener spoke in similar strain. The visit to the site was made on Saturday morning, the Christchurch visitors being accompanied by the Mayor of Oamaru, Mr E. P. Lee, and. representatives of tlie Borough u'jd County Council, and the, Waitaki Power Board. The party were met by Mr G. PAnderson McEnnis, who conducted them over the scene of the' Public, Works operations, and explained the nature of the work in progress, It was ascertained that the lower site had been definitely abandoned, and it. was evident from the nature of the. work being carried out at the other, two sites, that very careful and extensive investigations are being made to ascertain the,nature and formation of the rock foundation. Progress, has been delayed through the casing: being washed away last week, but only four more holes remain to be sunk in the river, and the work should be . com-' pleted in nine or ten days. It would appear that the main question, to h« solved is whether to erect the dam .at the upper or the middle site, a great point in favour of the former being, that a lower dam could be built later, thus utilising the water power twice, whereas if the dam is placed at the lower site, the upper site would be flooded to a depth of twenty feet, thus preventing or rendering more difficult extension of the scheme. i Although the preparatory gwork -occupied a considerable time it is evident from the amount of work done, that every care has been, taken to ascertain with complete accuracy the nature of the rock foundation, which is so essential to carrying out such a huge undertaking to a successful issue. • The visitors were well satisfied with, the information received as a result of the visit, and expressed approval of . the scheme. Subsequently they were, entertained at luncheon, at Kurow,. where Mr Archer returned thanks for the hospitality extended, and Mr Anderson assured them that they, would not have to wait long before preliminary reports would be available. On the return journey, the visitors called at the Waitaki High School. In an interview, Mr D. G. Sullivan said the rapid development of the Waitaki source of power was of tremendous importance to the city of Christchurch, because their demands were continually in . excess of the supply, and it was estimated that by 1930, they would be in a position to take Waitaki power, and indeed requiring it. - ■ The Mayor of Christchurch said the visit had been a great pleasure. There was no feeling in Christchurch as between the Waimakariri and the Waitaki,. and whatever the future held, they were quite prepared to accept the Waitaki policy and co-operate with the rest of Canterbury and North Otago, to push the scheme. They appreciated the point of building a dam at the upper site, so that a second dam could be made lower down. >-■■■■