HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16856, 9 June 1920, Page 8

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

KAIKOURA MOVING. At the meeting of tlio KaikoUTO. Gouuty Council, the chairman (Cr. v.. Andrew) reported on tlio delegates' visit to Lake Rotoroa in connexion wit.i the hydro-electric scheme. _ From what ho had seen, he felt convinced that more than ample power could bo secured ->roiu the Clarence river to supply the district between Blenheim and Christehurch. lie thought tho claims of the Clarence river should he brought under the notice of the Department, it being, m his opinion, preferable to the _ Lake Rotoroa scheme, which had for its obioet the linking up of Rotoroa with the Lake Coleridge supply. i Cr. Curran was of opinion that the . Rotoroa scheme would not benefit Kaikoura. There were threo schemes before the Government —Blenheim, Nelson, and "West Coast —and as it would tako a long time to put aay one of these into operation, he did nst think it was worth while Ivaikoura any further part in the matter. It should now go on with its own service. Tiie chairman moved: "That Mr G. \\\ Forbes, M.P., be asked to support, a grant of £1000 towards the hydroelectric proposals, and that ho stress tho claims of the Clarence river as tho source for generating tho necessary energy." Tho motion was seconded by Cr. Boyd and carried. Cr. Ha vie moved: "That the Government be asked to send an engineer to report on the local rivers, to ascertain their suitability for suppiving electric power." He was satisfied that sufficient power could be obtained from tho Ha.puku river to' supply Kaikoura. An approximate estimate of the value ol* petrol and kerosene used for power in their district was between £30,000 and £40,000 Tier year. This amount could be saved "if power were mado available from the Hapuku. _ . Cr. Andrew said he had been informed by Mr L. Birks that there was no possibility of any Government, engineer bein? sent to report on local Bchemes, and the Council would have to secure a report from a private source. The Council should press on with its local scheme, which could he linked up with the larger Government schemes. Cr. Evans seconded Cr. Harle's motion, but after further discussion it waa agreed that tho Council should vjait- tho tinpuku and ascertain the possibilities of thc-river.