THE Waikato Independent. SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1907.

Waikato Independent, Volume V, Issue 329, 26 January 1907, Page 4

THE Waikato Independent. SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1907.

IN our last issue it was stated that the Waihi Gold-mining Company had renewed its application to the Government lor the right to generate 4000 h.p. at the Horahora Falls to provide cheap power for crushing low grade ores. This statement was taken from the. Dunedin Star and, as far as we know, has never appeared in an Auckland paper. Coincidently with our insertion of this paragraph wq received a wire, which appeared in the same issue, from the Press Association, evidently in reference to the paragraph, which stated that the Minister for Public Works, the Hon. Mr Hall-Jones, had not so far received any such communication from the Waihi Company. Another coincidence is that the Auckland Evening Star had a leading article, last week, strongly supporting the original offer of the Company. In the course of this article our contemporary went fully into the proposal made by the Company, but as we, some months ago, explained it in detail in this column, it is unnecessary to do so again. In the course of its remarks, however, the Auckland Star very wisely pointed out in conclusion that There are really but two reasonable courses open to the Government. The first is to accept the Waihi Company's proposals, possibly with some modifications that their advisers may think desirable; the second is for the State to immediately undertake a comprehensive power scheme for the mining district. In either event a great stimulus would he given to mining in the Upper Thames district, where there are large bodies of low grade ores. The present policy of comparative inaction is directly responsible for retarding the development of one of our most important industries, and is not in keeping with the Government traditions in assisting and prompting the reasonable development of the colony’s natural resources.” Cambridge is considerably interested in the utilisation of the/ water power at Horahora, now going to waste, as it will mean the expenditure of many thousands of pounds, and the constant employment of men near here—to say nothing of the very’material benefits to Cambridge in the future use of electrical power in manufacturies and on farms in this district. Such being the case it is to be hoped that the W aihi Company has really approached the Government again, as stated by the Dunedin Star. For, if so, there is little doubt that, after the recent

report on the utilisation of water power, the Government could not reasonably refuse to accept the Waihi Company’s splendid offer, without laying itself open to very severe criticism, in refusing to utilise the Horahora Rapids, and declining to permit anyone else to do so. It is to be hoped, therefore, that the Waihi Company has made another offer, or ‘if not, that now the matter has been again stirred up it will do so!