FIRST POST SET UP

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17117, 12 April 1921, Page 6

FIRST POST SET UP

PENINSULA POWER SCHEME Tho work of erecting the pole* to carry tho wires for the supply of Lake Coleridge current to Banks Peninsula was inaugurate yesterday, when till""' first pole of the system was* placed ia position at Motukarara. To mark the event a special ceremony was arranged by the Peninsula Power Board, and was attended by « large gathering of Peninsula people. , Mr A. Goodwin, chairman of the Banks Peninsula Power Board, said the scheme had been under consideration for some years, but the war had de» laved its inauguration. At first tb* scheme was ridiculed, and even the «• gineers considered the project prenta* ture. The local people, however, had agreed to assist in the carting and planting of the poles, and that gave the scheme a start. At present, on ao» count of the slump, there might be • delay in the progress of the work, but tho farmers of the district were giving promises of help, and the Board were willing to take such promises in order to carry on. It was not rag* gested that the scheme would product a profit for the user, but the benefit* to be derived from the now supply were well worth the money cost. It tu the duty of tho Board to see that the scheme paid, and that the finances wer* kept sound. He hoped that the supplies of material would bo maintained to enable the work to be carried through without interruption. Be trusted that the Peninsula people genernlly would continue to help financially until" all the poles were planted. Mr J. C. Gebbie, Wnirewa County chairman, said the planting of the first post was an epoch in the history of the Peninsula. He congratulated the Power Board and its engineer, Mr J. R Templin, on the excellent work they had so far achieved; also Mr R. MacarU ney for his voluntary work in placing the poles. . , „ ~ Mr J. R. Thacker, chairman of the Akaroa County Council said the Board had received many offers of help, on* there were still many Peninsula Mop* who could do their share. Theßoard had authority to spend £IOO,OOO, Mrt nothing like that amount would be required. The Board so fax had made »r----ranEoments to raise £45,000 »t.6| pet cent., and when the Akaroa semcjWM taken over, the loan, some £BOOO or £9OOO, would also be taken over at 4| per cent. The Board were keeping eipenßes down bb much aa possible, in order that the charges might be *ep* flown to a minimum. .i,.-,. Mr G. Armstrong, Mayor of Akarw, paid a tribute to Air Goodwin's enU*. priso and persistence in wcuring U». inauguration of thtj scheme. The Ak* roa syßtem had proved a big saoooss. and would link up well with the larger scheme. He appealed to all to ewtt themselves to the utmost to promote tto development of the country, and » restore the losses caused by th« war.. Mr Walter Parkinson, a memter of the Power Board, said it would be,* great sight in tho future to m m whole Peninsula lit up by decttwtw. He felt sure that when it came to the point nil Peninsula people would UHH. It was hoped to have tht» echeme in operation by September. _ v Dr. Thacker, Mayor of niristchnrek congratulated th* Power Board on tt» enterprise of its chairman. Last Mtf the Lake Coleridge saved the people f Ohristchuroh 70,000 tons of opal., 4r Lake Coleridge was properly devdoned , it would produce at least 35,000 0.*.He appealed to.the country people to assist the city in tho endeavour to W* the Harper diversion works carried OM > ? in a permanent manner. He also nrgm ■£ that the Peninsula, and tho city Mowof combine to provide an up-toJdata> W**,|| way between Akaroa and Christchurmai Mr R. Macartney said that if .tto|| spirit of the pioneers prevailed to-dayff the power scheme would lavn very,* n s*W i ■ affair to carry through Ut completiotp nnd success. ~,„.. "H Cheers wero given for Mr Goodwill the chairman of the Board, after wMafSf the pole was lowered into petition, «So2§j, ott the suggestion of iho Mayor ;( jnf|£ Christchutch, was named "Oooiwmm Post." , ■••"* The local school children were pnatM at the ceremony, and were grant** » * holiday in honour of tho occasion. , .; Mr P. R. Climie, organiser of 4m ? t Canterbury Progress League, we* pro* \ sent M the gathering, and was much , interested in the efforts being made if ■ the Banks Peninsula people to **<W *- at tin early dnte a portion of the Lm» - Coleridge supply.