ELECTRICAL POWER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1568, 26 September 1905, Page 2

ELECTRICAL POWER.

PETITION BE LAKE WAIKAREMOANA. A public meeting to consider the petition to the Government, in connection with the development of Waikaremoaua for eleotrioal purposes was held in His Majesty's Theatre last evening. His Worship ..the Mayor ocoupied the chair, and explained the objects of the meeting, which w»s to urge upon the Government the great importanoe of utilising the lake for electrical purposes. The meeting had' been called somewhat hur* riedly, as they wished to send the petition immediately on account of Parliament being fully ocoupied in a few weeks’ time. He dealt with the great importance the development of Waikaremoana’s electrical energy would be to the North Island and the East Coast district particularly. He felt sure that auy step taken in that direction would.be supported by the people of Gisborne, and ho hoped that the meeting would pass a unanimous resolution upon the subjeot. There was 500,000 horsepower runnlDg to waste in. the North Island, and of this Waikaremoana olaimed the largest share. He called upon Captain Tuoker, County Chairman, to address the meeting. Captain Tuoker said the attendance wa3 an indication that the people were unanimous upoa the subject. With this groat heritage as their doors it was their duty to join with Napier in supporting the movement to have Waikaremoaua included amongst the places the Government intend to spend money on for the development of electrical power. . He moved:—

"That this meetiog resp’ctfully begs the Government not to overlook this source of power—the greatest and most central in the North Island—namely .Waikaremoana.’’ If they negleoted to move in the matter they would hardly be doing their duty. Ho mentioned that the Oounty Counoil had brought the matter before the notice of the Government some time ago. Mr A. Dewing seconded the resolution. Mr A. F. Matthews heartily supported the resolution and pointed out that if they wore to develop the asset they had in Waikaremoana the cheapest means of doing bo was in urging its claim upon the Government. Tho eleotrioal power could be utilised for railway purposes, which their scarcity of roads and metal made essent'a'.

The motion was carried unanimously. Captain Tucker suggested that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to the member for tbe district, asking him to use bis best endeavors to farther the effects of the resolution in tbe House.

The petition was largely signed by those present and it will be sent to headquarters immediately.