A HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEME

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 268, 8 August 1919, Page 10

A HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEME

, FOK WAIROA. A deputation fronv Wairoa. Hawke's Bay, waited on the Miuistev for Public Works (Sir William l'rnser) on Tuesday. .'Tho deputation, which was introduced by 'Sir James Carroll, comprised Mr. J. D. Ormond, Messrs. Corkiti, Hague, Summorfield, Jessep, Foote, aud Signnll. Mr. L. Birks, chief olcctrical engineer, was present. Mr. Ormond said tho object of' tho deputation was to ask tho Minister to allow Wairoa to carry out its own hydroelectric installation.- Ho referred to tho large increase in the stock dealt with at the local freezing works, which moant about <£180,000 a year to the Dominion. Wairoa, in common with other part? of New Zealand, was experiencing difficulty in securing coal, and even firewood was at a prohibitive price. All that was asked was that the Minister should allow a local hydro-electric scheme to be carried out which would supply the requirements of Wairoa. Mr. Corkill handed in a report on tho scheme, which inteuds to use Kaitawa Lake as a source of power. He explained that Wairoa had been waiting on tho Napier people in order to join with them in a suitable scheme, but appareutl.v Napier had come to a deadlock, as at the last meeting the voting upon a scheme was equal. Consequently, Wairoa determined to go in for a scheme on their own account with the consent of tho Minister of Public Works. Mr. F. C. IJa.y, A.M.T.C.E., gave a short summary of the proposals. The probable cost was estimated at £40,000, which would fiivc an electrical .supply of 5(10 li.p. lie emphasised that the Wairoa scheme would not in any way interfere with any scheme which the Government might decide to undcrtuko'afterwards. The length of Ihe line would be about thirty miles. A sum of .£20,000 would be inquired for reticulation, and about a similar amount for lieadworks. Other speakers pointed out how Wiiiroa was isolated both by cea and land, and therefore stood ill more urgent need of some independent power supply. The-Minister's reply was to the effect that 110 conFd not make any definite statement on the spur of the moment, as he would need io go inlo the pnrlieulars of the scheme with the chief electrical engineer before committing himself in any way; moreover, the sullied: was one which would have lo lie brought before Cabinet; but provided that: the specifications and the scheme generally were approved by Mr. P.iik--he did not Iliinlc that there would be any difficulty in the matter if the Wairoa pconlo were willing to undertake the work at Ihojr own exnenso and subject lo the conditions already mentioned. Ho promised at the urgent: request of the deputation to givo a reply at the earliest possible moment.