COLERIDGE AND THE COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18408, 15 June 1925, Page 13

COLERIDGE AND THE COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

'!' TO THE EDITOB OF "THE PBESS." - g; r ,—In Christchurch I have been ono Avho stood out for the AVaimakariri system of obtaining, electrical power. I held that Lake Coleridge, even with its augmented power, is inadequate to supply the needs of Canterbury. It ■was some eight years since, that in conversation with a Government official he prophesied that within seven yoara of that date Lake Coleridge would be. used to, its utmost capacity, and that the users—then by no means vcrv numerous—-would have to turn to fresh sources of power. . I have latoly visited Ashburton. There within the last two years there has been an enormous extension of electrical ■ power. There flourmills, woodworks', etc.,- arc run and the installations for home lighting are mounting up by the .hundred. The Electric Power Board is putting in cookers in home on home and every day sees a further demand, upon its resources,. waimate, where the arrangements for an electrical supply are bling made, and in August .next afresh and altogether underestimated demand. will be flung upon thp electric svstem which 'even now overtaxes'the source of its power. In Shburton-and Waimate together the crowth of the electric demand will he eoual—proportionately, of course-to that rush on electric lighting which set in in" Christchurch some live or six vears ago. Every house is looking for *the installation of the new lighting, and business after business is determined to put in thencw power These wo towns are only a part of the dis nets Sit demand, that power In AshburSn alone, demands will be prodigious, la Waimate, which is excepUonally prosperous, the demand will be, I am sureproportionately greater, and in centres the success of the P owe7Sthe bigger tow ns w il, lead to further and further demands. . . Tn spite of the Government optimum ■«,•;?'■ Lake Coleridge will fulfil th f I am one who Avishes ZtZcUy Council would keep the project steadily in vjew W^^r,-? ft ;n" heart and; soul with any who will work to that ,end.-Yours iL