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Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1920, Page 2

In connection with the foregoing, the Toaroha source of supply for hydroelectricity at once suggests itself for j this part of Westland, The Toaroha is situated admirably to serve as far north as Point Elizabeth, as far south as Inter-Wanganui, and easterly to the Otira tunnel. What requires to be determined in regard to the proposition is the effective flow Of, water in the icebound period of the year, together with the possibility of putting in storage works to ensure a very substantial area of reservoir water. These facts could be determined by expert enquiry at a not unreasonable cost, and upon the in-. formation gained the proposal could be formulated. As to the demand for power if it were produced as suggested, there is but little doubt that several thousand horse-power would be required. Even for normal conditions as at present there would be the mining undertakings, the chief of which would be the operations on Rimu Flat; there i would be power required for sawmills, and within the area referred to, there would be more than half a hundred mills in operation; there would be power required for the coal mines; and certainly a large amount of power needed to work the Otira tunnel. These would be the consumers in a very large way. In addition there would be the industrial aspect, which with cheap power would expand rapidly’, and manufacturing would become established with an assured outlet for goods by way of the Otira tunnel. The municipal and domestic use of electricity in all the towns and centres which could be served, would be considerable; while the power required by the farming communities would not be a neglibile quantity as opportunity for service arose. The dearness of petrol, the shortage of coal, would all tend to popularise the use of electric power, so that altogether a Westland scheme for hydro-electric developments is one of the matters which should be uppermost in the minds of the people in this time of special opportunity.

It is good news to learn that shipping developments are proceeding apace. In Auckland at present is the Admiral Codrington, the 10,800 ton steamer recently purchased by the Poverty Bay Farmers’ Meat Company of Gisborne, and by means of which this enterprising company anticipates making a saving in freight of four shillings on every carcase of mutton. Now it is announced that the Canadian Government Steamship Line will this month inaugurate a direct monthly service between ' Vancouver and New Zealand. The Canadian Government has already twenty-six steamers trading in the Atlantic,' and before the end of the year the fleet is to be increased to seventy. The Commonwealth Government of Australia to-day operates a fleet of 45 steamers and three sailing vessels, and 27 more steamers ranging in size from 5000 to 12,000 tons dead-weiglit are building or contracted for. In its first year this State-owned line made a profit of £1,000,000, and paid the cost of all steamers then running out of profits. The fortunes of these unde'--takings deserve the closest attention in New Zealand, and it is not unlikely a start will be made with the Lyttelton Wellington ferry service. Our own district is likely to benefit, soon by an improved shipping service, negotP ‘

being in progress for a steamer 1 make regular trading in and out <4 Hokitika from all ports in New Zealand offering cargo. It will be go»H news to hear that this is consummated