POSSIBILITIES OF RANGITAIKI RIVER FOR HYDRO-POWER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 5, 9 December 1947, Page 5

POSSIBILITIES OF RANGITAIKI RIVER FOR HYDRO-POWER

There is a possibility that in time the Rangitaiki river may be develop-' ed for hydro electric, purposes, according to a letter from the Minister of Works received at the annual meeting of the Whakatane Chamber of Commerce on Thursday night. The Chamber had written suggesting that a hydro electric scheme might be combined with flood control.

The Minister’s letter said the character of the river from the hydroelectric point of view was wellknown, though it was not thought thgt such development would control floods, However, there were possibilities for power development in the future, but, with extensive works and investigations going on in the > Waikato and the South' Island, that was not likely to be soon. t. A soil and topographical survey of the area would soon be completed by the Soil Conservation and Rivers / control Commission, which was. installing apparatus for recording water levels and so on. Possiblek hydro-electric development would be considered in the light of data collected. Mr R. T. Morpeth, president, said he thought the Chamber had done some good in keeping the matter before the Government, and he felt something definite would come of it in the future. Mr H. G. Warren said he agreed, and thought, the negotiations. should be followed up. It was decided to recommend tothe incoming executive that thematter be put on the agenda of an. early meeting. ......