WATER-POWER REGULATIONS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 663, 13 November 1909, Page 10

WATER-POWER REGULATIONS.

DISCOTJBAGEMENT'TO ENTERPRISE.'. ' A prominent' resident of Hokitika, who is connected, with the' Toaroha syndicate/writing to a .correspondent , 'in .Wellington, , :.mates' interesting referente' to ■'. the: harassing ■• ■ waterpower regulations: "Wβ are pleased to know," no states, "that, the now famous water-power reptuktiohs will , be discussed'in cbmiriittee of the "whole House. ; It :!a : difljcjilt to' , understand Itho Minister's attitude jn regard; to our busiitss. "It: lias not.been 'encouraging ,tb f thoßO .willing to 'help towards. developing ■',the 'resources,' 0f... the /country, - Thero is no . doubt ; that'wator for mining power 'purposes- should be givon free, and if oapitaT is to,, bo induced to ,fne coast and our resources developed, the Government will Kayo to be more liberal. Wβ cabled the conditions. of the license to bur London i.agont,, and as,;you have ■. been. advised ' he .replied, 'that, tte conditions, were' impossible. 'We received "a '"'.from"' hii to-day, 'urging Jis'to send ;the' , titl.es,"'(& T h'e'rs" l an , xious to complete the business. .'■ But wlj'at Can we do? For , years we nave beep tryiiig to get a, reason able; water rate and , have'not got one yet. Qμ- agent Writes that the principal financier in 'our 'brisihess— Mr,VH; -Mallaby Seeley, J.P.,vwho has lately, purchased tho PiceadiUy Hotel property for :j!sOo,floO—has' an idea of sending mm to ' New Zealand : again before thfc end of the war to take uprotKor like available .schemes. -.They can be got on the poast,:for there is any amoTintof nrtrifcrous CTound left, and unlimited .water power to be developed. The . same , may apply, .to '■' Otagb; Besides onr London agent, there are Califor:iiian .people with..whom we have been in com-mum<»tion,'-.willing to:' take .op .'ttfinilar'-ven-■turos conditions, of the iregulations a» dispefise'd , 'with; '■ cbrely-to be hoped the "Minister 'WII.bW .become . a little more, considerate and. allow 'K? t»,.™f s *!i raeanS so! , much for the West Coast. By delaying the' granting of tha water on reasonable terms we', may lose valuablei.oppbrtunitics. .' Wo. have lost one party who would have come from 'South Africa ;with -but'have since Rone to New York and invested their capital thero ?•'