FAIR PROGRESS ONLY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 257, 25 July 1919, Page 9

FAIR PROGRESS ONLY

HANGAHAO HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEME

LEAGUE'S ANNUAL REPORT

The following is the annual report of tho Maugahno Uydro-Electrie League, which says:— ~ .

In laying before you the league's report on the proceedings of the last twelve luonths your conimitteo feels it can congratulate itself and the league generally on the progress , made towards attaining its objects, viz., tho pushing forward , to early completion the supply of eleclric power from tho Maiigahao at Shannon. "When tho leaguo was formed, tho project was still , .to a great extent in embryo form, and 'nothing more than preliminary surveys, etc., had been done. '■During the past year the project l:as been endorsed'.by'the'Government, and nfter considerable ■urg'in,? a start has been miide on tho construction works. Much valuablo timo has been lost in starting tho preliminary reading, and it will bo necessary to use every means tit' see tho works are pushed ahead as fast as possible. Your committee is uli.d to note that fair progress is now being made, between thirty and forty men being employed on tho formation of the. new road to tho uppor dam, contracts for tho whole of whioh have been surveyed. The work is also being taken in hand of improving the present road by remoriiiß corners, etc.. so as .to allow. of heavy machinery being taken on to the site of : dams, etc. It is certain, however, that a imieli larger labour force must be employed if the work is to be completed, in anything approximating to tho period allowed by Mr. Parry, viz.. ■throe years, «iud your committee recommends members of the leaguo to , bring all possible pressure to bear upon the Government) through tho local members of •Parliament and in every other way possible to Mβ that the work is further expedited; With a view to assisting, your commute©is-try-to arrange for monthly reports on tlie prosress of the work. ■ • •;•,.,■ "There is a further development whreli vour committee desired to draw .attention to, and that is tho need of preparation for using the power when available. \\e understand tho Government do not desire to do anv local reticulation, preferring that this'be left to-local bodies, ".will be neeessarv, therefore, for each local body to ascertain by actual applications tho number of residents prepared to use the'power when available.and with that informntion for .thorn to nrrnnp) their •reticulation schemes -accordingly, ims wl apply more especially.to rural die&eto, but ■ boroughs .not at weont re j dilated for electric , power.and. »'i be well advised also not to lenNe this matter too long, in- *"jeranc£. Ine amount of material required,- *PW» poles, will be enormous, and it would be well to be well advanced, so as to en Z™ no delay in .utilising tli<? power. .In «is connertfon. it may be advan~ r,i ronti"iious ocal bodies, to act io cethe? and their attention is therefore f,« 'to Action' 3 of the Electric Power Soar s V of last session, which.pro; method of so combining.