HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 45, Issue 13854, 10 June 1919, Page 5

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

IN THE SOUTH

DKITTATION TO MIXISTKU KG If. IM'BLIC WOb'KS. (Bj Telegraph—Press Association.) DUXEDIN, .Monday. A deputation from local bodies in Ota-go waited ou Sir William Fraser regarding a suggested hydro-electric scheme to bring water by tunnel from Lake lla.wea to Lake Wanaka, and there generate ninety thousand horsepower at a cost of X-4<J4,000.

The Minister, in replying, pointed to the enormous difficulties of the scheme regarding both moiu'.y and men. Jvven when all the soldiers had returned it Mas doubtful if the man power of the Dominion would bo greater than, before the war. The work might possibly cost a million and a half before it was completed. Members of Cabinet were all keen on the. matter. He would have a survey made. One thing which ought to be done was to collect all the data regarding hydro-electric power nenerailv.

The Minister said In , h:ul with him :i report prepared by Mr Parry regarding the South island. Mr J'arry said tinresult of investigations was fairly

conclusive regarding the nortlieni end of the island, and that the most suitable portion, .for a power station was at the outlet of either Lake .Rotoiti or .l«ike Kotoroa. Surveys were necessary to ascertain whether these surveys could bo economically developed, but development was likely to be too expensive ultimately.