FAIRLIE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20512, 2 September 1936, Page 11

FAIRLIE

PRESERVATION OF TEKAPO COUNCIL SUPPORTED At a meeting of the Fairlie Business Men's Association on Monday night, it was decided to uphold the Mackenzie County Council in preserving Tekapo as a national asset. The possibility of the level of Lake Tekapo being raised 40 feet was mentioned by the president (Mr H. T. Foden) and he thought the association should pass 'a motion in the matter. Mr C. J. Talbot said the proposal was that the surplus Water discharged into Lake Tekapo by rivers and glaciers in the summer months should be conserved by a dam for use at the Waitakl Hydro during the winter. The three lakes, Tekapo, Pukaki and Ohau, were to be dammed, and evidently Tekapo was the easiest proposition and a start was to be made on it first. Such dams had been contemplated ever since the Waitakl scheme started, because the flow of water in the river during the winter would not be enough to work the plant when full loads were required. It had been originally understood, Mr Talbot added, that the level of Lake Tekapo would be raised only 11 feet. Unfortunately there seemed to be no record of such a statement from those responsible for the scheme, but inquiries made before the Tekapo Church had been built had elicited the Information that it would be above the like level. If a rise of 40 feet were made, the church would be left on an island. There was no possibility of finding a site for a village comparable with the present location. Concluding, Mr Talbot said there was to be a conference called by the Canterbury Progress League in Christchurch shortly, and he hoped to attend the conference and obtain the League’s support for the preservation of Tekapo. Mr J. Braddick said that In time more power would be required In South Canterbury and the question was where it was to be obtained. South Canterbury could not go short of power, and if Tekapo was to be saved, alternative proposals would have to be put forward. The Waitaki river could probably be dammed again, but that would involve great expense in comparison with damming the lakes. Mr H. Carlton asked Mr Talbot what notice the Council obtained about raising the lake level. Mr Talbot replied that the engineer (Mr D. Jeune) had been making inquiries connected with the Council’s tree-planting plans and obtained the information. On a motion moved by Mr G. F. Lyons, it was decided to uphold the Council in preserving Tekapo as a national asset. , With regard to the forthcoming poll of ratepayers on the system of rating in the County, it was decided to support rating on the unimproved value, and to recommend residents of the town to consider favourably, the levying of a special rate fot necessary improvements in the town. GOLF The Fairlie team to compete for the Bristol Cup in Tlmaru to-morrow is: J. Campbell, W. Whitehead, S. Hatton, John M. Macdonald, R. J. Creighton and J. M. Burt. A stroke competition will be played on Strathconan links to-morrow afternoon. PERSONAL At a meeting on Monday night, the Fairlie Business Men’s Association passed a motion of sympathy with the relatives of the late Mr L. M. Brice. The president (Mr H. T. Foden) said there was no need for him to dwell on Mr Brice’s ability and good work; it was well known that he had always been willing to do his very best for the good of the town.