HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 132, 28 February 1920, Page 7

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER

~.'..' A.. SUPPLY K®. GISBOENE. Ey Telegraph—Press Association.- , Gisborne, February 27. ■ 'Tlie minimum subscription necessary to secure the flotation of tlie '.Waikohu Hvdro-Electric Company, a local cuter-- , nriso which is prepared to supply Gisborne aiid district: with'Bo.oo h.p.: electrical, energy, has been secured. Immediate steps are to be taken to secure a license promised by tho Minister of Public. Works. ..-'.'. WAIKAEEMOANA SCHEME. By Telegranli—Prose. A'lociation. 'Wairoa, February 27. ' ..An.important', hydro-electric conference of local bodies of the East Coast wn» held yesterday, and was marked by singular determination and unanimity. It was resolved that the harnessing of tho Waikaremoana power was essential to tho life of the East Coast. The meeting called on the Government to state without delay whether'it'intends to do tho work, and, if so, to fix the date for commencing and finishing. A resolution-was-carried-.in favour-of ( tho contract system, and the calling of tenders in and outside of New Zealand.

■A deputation was appointed to prosa , tho matter in Wellington. if tor tho conference,- Mr. Matthews (chairman) eont the following messago to the Prime Minister: "A conference of 30 delegates from the local bodies of Poverty Bay, Wdiroa, ahd.Ha'wko's .Bay was held at AVairoa to-day-.to. discuss the Waikaremoana . hydro-electric development scheme. It was unanimously agreed that the immediate prosecution of the scheme was urgently required. Fourteen delegates wore appointed to proceed to Wollingto)u to"interview 'you. Please say what date will be convenient for you." ■'"' "■■ '''..•• Mr. Matthews received the following telegram from the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, who'is at'Botorua: "Regret that owing to continued wet weather hero I have found it impossible to get away. I am'convinced that' although'there certainly will .bo 'some difficulties to overcome," the Waikareinoana work should be commenced at once. The coal and ■ shipping,difficulties cannot be overcome for some time; The only sound, 6ane •proposition is hydro-electric power, and it! only needs determination to get tha scheme going. Don't, be put off. : Urge the Government to.get a report from tho present chief electrical engineer. He is a man ;of energy; and 'r'o,' and I am strongly of .opinion that if the Government backs him ha will get..the Waikaremoana scheme.into.operation at once, and thus remove present and future anxiety' in regard to cold storage for Wairon, Gisboriie, and Hawke's Bay.