SHANNON.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1045, 7 February 1911, Page 2

SHANNON.

Mr. G. W. Stephenson presided at a largely-attended meeting in the Druids' Hall on Friday' night, when the question of developing the hydro-electric enorgy of the Mangohu and Streams came up for discussion- Representatives, from Tokoinaru njut A (president), J. Liggms.and G. Seifert, representing the N.Z. l'laxmillers* Association, were present. A letter was road from Mr. G. H. Styles, Mayor of Foxton, assuring the meeting of the hearty support of his council. Mr. John Stevens," of Bulls, also wrote strongly recommending the schome. Mr. W. H.-Gunning, one of tho conveners of tho meeting, stated that the project had. been'supported by two engineering experts, one of whom had been Mr. Hajres,' late Government engineer. In spite of. this -fact, the Minister" for Public Works KcTstated that no record .of this preliminary survey could bo found in Government files. He'dwelt on the importance of t.hs flax industry to the Dominion, and the prevailing low prices. ,;By • cheapening the power, the? • cost- of production could be lowered, and industry placed • in a "less precarious position. He referred to Mr. T. Lind's experiments with the electrical treatment of fibre, by which ,it was contended, paddocking could be done away with altogether. This in itself should be sufficient to ensure Government support for the project. The Makuri scheme would only give some 4000 to GOOO horse-pov'er, so that there would be little chance of the flax industry benefiting by it.. Sufficient power could be developed locally to drivo the mills within a radius twelve miles of Foxton. Levin strongly supported the schome. Mr. Gunning than gave the costs of'electric nower and lighting tho cities of tho Dominion. He dwelt on tho economical features of the scheme, and the great development of the hydroelectric power in the United States. Within a radius of twelve miles the local mills would require 3000 horse-power. He then moved: "That tho Government be asked to make a complete survey of this power .with the view to ascertaining its suitability for' development and with the object of utilising. tho energy, from the Mangohu and Tokomaru Streams for fb.xmilline and other industrial purposes." Mr. L. Seifort, in seconding tho motion, stated that the Flaxmillers' Association strongly supported the scheme, and he suggested that the survey should be made. in the dry season, when the streams were at their lowest, and when the mills were in full swins. The following committee was apnointed:—Messrs. W. H. Gunning, T. W. Venn. P. N.. Stephenson. M. Moynihan, W. Murdoch, A. Seifert, L. Seifert, J. L'isgins, the Mayors of Foxton and Levin. It was decided to anproach Messrs. W.' H. Field, M.P., and Mr. Newmau, M.P., with reference to the uiatter. Mr. Moynihan stated that Mr. Field had expressed * his willingness to come up and visit tho locality, and it was tentatively decided that a visit of inspection should be mado to the source, from which it is hoped the power will bo obtained, on February 11. All those who are interested in the projcct are invited to accompany tho party. Mr. Murdoch was appointed secretary to the committee. As it is likely that the Railway. Department will close tho crossing for pedestrians at the railway station, a'largely signed petition is being circulated protesting against tho Department's action, and. tho County Council is likely to move in the matter.