The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING, GISBORNE, FEBRUARY 9, 1901. TE REINGA FALLS.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 34, 9 February 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING, GISBORNE, FEBRUARY 9, 1901. TE REINGA FALLS.

The people of Wairoa, or rather the excellent journal by which they are represented, showed aptitude in taking up the subject of harnessing the Reinga Falls for electric power. In the course of a leading article, the Guardian states : “It has been well said that New Zealand is rich in water-power ; so much so that in almost every part of the colony there are waterfalls, and heads of water available at a high altitude, sufficient to generate enough electricity to run every stationary steam engine in the land, and not only that, but light our cities and towns as well. It is stated that there is enough power in Te Reinga Falls to provide for the lighting of Gisborne, and the Borough Council has taken the matter up in a very practical manner on the initiative of Mr Dunlop. In urging the scheme, Mr Dunlop pointed out that an effort should be made to get Wairoa to join in, so as to lighten the initiatory expenses and spread . the benefits. We think so too, and all friends of progress should feel indebted to Mr Dunlop for mooting such a sensible scheme.” The Guardian then goes on to touch on the point as to the advantage electric •power would be to that district. (t The high price of coal, and the high rates of freight,” sal's our Wairoa contemporary, “ largely debar the use of machinery in tins district; but if electric power were once established in this district it would be a great incentive to the introduction of labor-saving machinery, and would be, in our opinion, the means of starting local industries of all kinds. But it means the town could bo lighted, as well as public and private buildings; sawmills and jam factories are needed sadly to use up products now blindly destroyed, or allowed to go to waste —and last but not least — electric railways could be run to open up Waikaremoana and Nuhaka Hot Springs to the tourist world. Messrs Steuart and Fenn, electrical engineers, have offered to visit Te Reinga and report on the feasibility of the lighting scheme, on payment of bare expenses, estimated at £2O or so. A reply should soon be received as to the actual cost required, but, judging by what Messrs Steuart and Fenn have written, it should not exceed the estimate made by Councillor Joyce. The Guardian is astonished that the offer was not accepted, and proceeds : —“ That the offer was not at once accepted surprises us much, but it is satisfactory to know that a committee has been appointed to go into the matter with a view to accepting the offer, which" is practically a free report. The interest that the foregoing has for us is this: That if the scheme can be put in operation it will prove a vast benefit to this part of the East Coast, and Wairoa should certainly endeavor to have a say in the matter. We cannot see why our local bodies here should not open up communications with the Gisborne Borough Council, and co-operate in any possible way to further sueh a desirable object.” The latter suggestion is a well-timed and sensible one, for the matter is .one which Wairoa and Gisborne may well take into joint consideration. We would further suggest that the Gisborne Borough Council should at once put itself into communication with the Christchurch City Council, which is collecting much information in regard to Waimakariri.