THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11480, 13 January 1903, Page 5

THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS.

THL COLONY'S WAT Kit POWER. A deputation, introduced by Mr T. E*. Taylor. M.H.R., -waited on the Hon. W-Hall-Jones, Minister of Public Works, at Warner's, last, night, with reference to the Government's proposal to obtain the services of two electrical experts to report on the utilisation of the power in the New Zealand rivers- for the. generation of eleo tiicity. The members of the deputation were: — The' Mayor of Christchurch (Mr Henry F. Wigr.un), Mr T. H. Davey. j M.H.R.. City Councillors C. M. Gray, J.J Clarke, J. T. Smith, the Town Clerk (Mr H. R. Sman), and Messrs G. 1. Booth and A. W. Beaven. The flavor said that for «m» time it had Ik-en thought tliat some attempt should t>e made to utilitso the power in ti*e ••rivers in the district, and at probably the largest pubiic meeting held in this cily it was recognised that before anything could Iw done legislative powers must be granted the city, which. pusse-s.si'd no rights over any oi the rivers. Last session the necessary legislation had bt-en passed, and the next step, that of obtaining a. report from an expert, wUooe advice would command the respect of the citizen**, was taken, and Colonel Turrettini, of Switzerland, hod been approiu.-hi.-d, a.s one of the highest authorises on the subject. In the meantime ha (the .speaker) had interviewed the Premie." to ascertain if lie would consider the mutter as one of national importance, a.v there were rive re in other parts of the colony reports in connection with which, would be valuable. The Premier promised to place tile matter before Cabinet, jukl had subsequently done so, with the result that. Cabinet had agreed to the services of two experts—one from Europe and the other from America, being obtained. Recently he (the .sipcakfr) had received mtimation from Colonel Tun-ettini that he would not be able t j come to the co.ony. On the Premier being informed of this, he submitted the rnsitU-r again to Cabinet, which decid.ed on asking the Agent-General to ask a European expert to visit, the colony, and had left the matter of the American expert for the .Minister of Public Works to arrange. The question of electrical power mis particularly argent iv this city at present, us were on the eve of electing a Tramways Hoard, and it was considered by niajiy thait power from the Wainiakiriri .should be utiised in connection with the proposed now tramway system. The- question was also practically 'blocking progress, as people did not like* to lay down expensive steam installations in view of the possibility of electricity being obtained from the Wmmakariri. Any expedition the Minister cou.d make in this local urgent matter would be gre-atly appreciated. Th-a question was of colonial importance, for the same question was being discussed in other parts. The deputation wished to ascertain what steps the Government intended taking, and when the experts could be- expected in the colony. Cr. J. Claike suggested that steps should be taken to Hud out who was the engineer of the Bay Counties installation in California., where, he understood, power was carried as far as 200 mile*. Spine views which he had seen made it appear that the country there was very l'ke our own. Many years ago Sir John Coode wae engaged to examine all our harbours, and the Timaru Harbour, among others, was the result of Kir John's recommendations. Personally, he felt that before very long attention would be drawn, in the- South Island at any rate, to the que.stion of electric traction for railways. Sir Hall-Jones (jocularly)—"lt -would be very useful in connection wi!t!i the tunnel." Co,ntinmn.(», Cr. Clarke stated that he thought the ratepayers would cheerfully pay a proportion of the cost of bringing an expert out if necessary. Mr T. E. Tavlo'r, M.H.R.. reminded the Minister that Christchurch had spent considerable emtnx in obtaining local reports on the scheme, and a great denl of information had been collected, but the feeling was that a report should be obtained l from some expert whose decision would not be criticised, before proceeding with the work. He would like to know what steps had been taken in the matter already, and to ask whether, as Christchurch had mad« the first move in the matter, and had been at; some expense with regard to it, the Waimakariri might be made the firet rive" to tie reported on. Colonei Turrettini was able to offer to come in July last, but when that date went by the City Council* request probably clashed with some other appointment. The Government, however, might still be able to secure his service*. Cr. Gray said ho would like to see a first-class man brought out from Switzerland, and from California, and if the scheme was reported upon favourably he had no doubt but what the people would see that it was carried out. In reply, "the Hon. W. Hall-Jones stated that he was pleased to meet the depute t.ion on what he believed to be such an important question to the whole colony. A friend had 'remarked to him how strange it was that in New Zealand the question of water power had been discussed for 30 or 40 years, and yet nothing had (been done. As* a Canterbury man he was rather proud that Canterbury, or at least Christchurch, had taken the initiative in this matter, which might haw such transforming consequences for "New Zealand. With regard to what had been done already, a communication had been addressed by the Wt San Francisco mail to the AgentGeneral and an eminent engineer in the United States, asking tjmt they should recommend a first-class expert in hydraulic engineering. He should s:vy .that a reply ought to be meived within two months He" would expedite the matter by Bending cables and askinc the names and qualifications of the enginrers recommended, ana lie would endeavour to ascertain as soon as possible who the engineer was of the Bays Counties work. On the question of cost, he thought that, as other rivers which had nothing to do with Christchurch would be reported on, the whole cost should be bom* by the colony, provided that there were reasonable grounds for assuming tint there would be good powe" available. He would see for himself where it was likely that power could be obtained, and these rivers would be examined 'by an expert. It was only right that Christchurch .should have the benefit of the first report, and he would arrange J'or that to be the case. It was possible that the Government mit;ht stil' b<; able to secure the eervioes of Colonel Turrettini, if he was the best man. He would like, if only for his own use. to be able to peruse the plans and surveys which had already been made, and would go through them with his enI gineers. The -Wiyor stated that there would be no difficulty about his having these. Mr Hall-Jones, continuing, said he would have the matter expedited as much as possible. Hβ was of opinion that it was probable, however, that it would be six months from the time of writing before the expert j could be got hsre. He thought he might Kay that the Ixst man possible would be ! obtained, regardless of expense. i Mr T. H. Davey, M.H.K., asked ! whether it would bo well to appoint a man in New Zealand to make it his bu«iiK»es to find out an eligible expert-, and explain the position to him. Mr T. K. Taylor, M.H.R., mentioned that there was precedent for such a counse in the action of the Indian Government on a certain occasion, but the Minister was of opinion that such a step would not be necessary. He pointed out that choice waa j not limited to Switzerland, but that they I could go to any country in Europe where ■ a man such as they wanted was to be j found. ! The Mayor stated that the information ] previously collected would be sent to Mr I Hall-Joaee. He referred to the shingle j difficulty, and the necessity of securing j someone- with experience of this problem. I Mr G. T. Booth stated as the result of readinz the reports already made-, it might strike the Minister that they clashed with the provisions of the fcjnpowering iS^iThere would be no difficulty on. that score. however, m a site higher up the river h®* l 1 since been decided •upon as more euitabk. j*r T. £. Taylor, JJ..H.R., »uggeet«dj

that the Minister should visit the site of I the proposed iritrtke with Mr Iliibsoti. the j City Surveyor, on Mr H«ll-Jor,e*s v.aun from hi« visit to Springfield. It. was finally arranged for Mr Dobsou to m«vt Mr HaHJones this evening at Springfield, and accompany him to ibe sit« in question some j time oa Wednesday. * j After the initial expression of thanks, ths i deputation withdrew. | EXCURSION FAKES AND CRICKET. Mr T. H. Davey. M.H.R., introduced to the 'Minister for Public Works ;i deputation, consisting of Messrs F. C. Raphael, J. D. Lawrence, ami J. O. Jameson, representing the New Zealand Cricket Asso- | ciatian, in. connection with the visit of ] Lord Hawke's cricket team to Canterbury. The deputation asked if Mr Hn'l-Jor.o-would request the Minister for Railways (Sr Joseph Ward) to see if excursion fare. could be arraiigtd ior, *i> thai people ;' the country would be able xnoiv ea<'.l to witness the two matches. CainerbiuT and New Zealand v the English team, a. Lancaster Pork. The Minister repiu-.] that he would inform Sir Joseph Ward of th« facts that had bevn placed bef.>:. him, and make the request as the deputation asked.