DID MR. WILFORD "FALL IN"?

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 798, 22 April 1910, Page 8

DID MR. WILFORD "FALL IN"?

THE TAUHEBINIKAU SCHEME. Reference was made by Mr. Crawford last night to Mr. Wilford'svcurious version of his proposal for harnessing the Tauherinikau River. to provide electric power for city", and suburban industries. Mr: Crawford stated that Government engineers had reported that this "river , had'great potentialities for providing power. "I notice," said Mr. Crawford, "that my opponent has fallen in, has done on many occasions during this election, and he has fallen in very badly. He does not know'that when you use water power, say thirty miles from _ the-.city, for making electrical power, it : is'not necessary to bring the water ,to. the city. His statements in this connection made last night suggest that, it is necessary to bring this water to the''city before you can use it. Now,. I thought than any man, any lady, any child, I might almost say, in this city knew bettor than that. Wo all know, I'think, that if you can get water within a reason-

able distance of any largo cityj and it Has' a great fall, and you can harness that water, all you'have to do is to provide a wire from the water.to tho city,' and yon have your power fo? practically nothing. I notice my opponent says he has been discussing this question with an engineer. I am afraid that that engineer has been 'pulling his leg.'" (Laughter.) Mr. Crawford added that one of the foremost engineers in New Zealand, who had undertaken some of the biggest works of this kind, had. been so impressed by. his suggestion in regard to~ this matter, that ho bad insisted on discussing it for an hour when Mr. Crawford could ill spare the time. He (Mr. Crawford) did not suggest that this scheme should be carried out, but it was desirable to have a Mayor who had initiative, and if, he could save tho city £10,000 a year, why should he not? (Applause.)