WATER-POWER REGULATIONS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 537, 18 June 1909, Page 9

WATER-POWER REGULATIONS.

A HOKITIKA PROTEST. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Hokltika, Juno 17. One of the largest public meetings held for many .years m HoKitika took place last night for tho purpose of protesting against tho water-power regulations reoently issued by tho (jovornment. Tho principal resolution urging upon the Government to modify the charges and withdraw the harassing conditions, was carried unanimously.' Many of tho speakers, who wore miners, condemned the regulations and referred to them as being impossible and calculated to seriously hamper the goldminjng industry. It- was pointed out . that tho Government, until lately, was ottering fifteen thousand pounds subsidy to any person or company that would supply fifty heads of water to tho liimu goiaiields, whereas now a syndicate proposes, without State aid, to pump from tho Holatika River a much largor volume of water at a cost of over a hundred thousand sterling. . The regulations, however, impose a number of unworkable conditions," and necessitate tho payment of nearly three thouslud pounds before the company is even floated. Considerable hostile feeling exists in all parts of the district, and meetings are to be held to further protest against the conditions and charges imposed.