HYDRO-ELECTRIC BOARD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14116, 10 May 1920, Page 3

HYDRO-ELECTRIC BOARD.

MEETING AT CARTERTON. The first .meeting of the newly-elect-ed Wairarapa Hydro-Electric Board was held in Carterton on Saturday atternoon last. Mr T. Y. Moore moved that Mr J. C. Cooper be elected chairman of the Board. —Carried. Mr H! E. Toogood, electrical engineer, submitted a lengthy report on the most recent investigations made by himself and Mr Templin. Mr L. Birks, Government engineer, addressed the meeting. Hydro-electri-city was essential, in view' of the coal shortage, for domestic and industrial purposes. In a country like New Zealand, depending upon dairying, farming and meat-preserving works, hydroelectric power was absolutely essential. In dairying districts, motor mechanics were necessary. Ho was not going to plead that electricity -would be much cheaper than petrol. It would be substantially cheaper. But what he did claim was that it would a eleaner and more reliable power. Eew Zealand had provided a high quality of butter fat, but there was still room for improvement. Electric power would provide a sufficient quantity of boiling water at the milking shed, which would result in an improvement in the quality of the butter. The cost of'heating the water by electricity would be comparatively small. Electricity also made a tremendous revolution in domestic cooking. The speaker had gone over the Waioliine site with Mr Toogood. A good deal had yet to be done by way of investigation before he would be satisfied that the scheme w r as sound. The success of the Waioliine scheme would depend entirely upon the dam. Therefore, the dam site should be thoroughly explored. A local scheme would not be a loss it the Government scheme were made available. It could still be utilised, and would pay interest on the cost. Mr .T. R. Templin, G.E., who recently returned from the United States, gave an interesting address on the result of his investigations in America. It was decided that Messrs Toogood and Templin be appointed permanent engineers to the Board; Mr 1. 11. Smith permanent secretary, aud Messrs Hart and Hogg solicitors. It was decided that the salary of the secretary be at the rate of £350 per year. Leave of absence was granted the chairman for six months.

It was decided that Mr T. "V. Moore be elected acting-chairman of the board.