HYDRO-ELECTRIC PROPOSALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1920, Page 4

H YDRO-EL ECTRIC PROPOSALS.

CONSIDERED AT GREYMOUTH. At u meeting of the Grey mo nth Chamber of Commerce last week, the Chairman (Mr J. D. Lynch), stated Mr Birks, Electrical expert, would visit Greymouth shortly and they would want the electric scheme embraced. He was certain Mr Birks would give every assistance and as the project was of such huge dimensions it was up to the people of the district to rise to the occasion. Mr Langford, of the Kanieri Lake Coy., had called upon him that afternoon and put a \ proposal before him which he submitted to the Chamber. The Kanieri Coy., possessed from 4 to 5 thousand li.p., and £GOOO would supply a transmission line from Hokitika to Greymouth and a further £GOOO erect a substation here. The speaker held quite an open mind on the subject, only desiring the fullest information regarding the matter for the town wanted power for the pumping station, .pri"" 1 and State enterprises, wharf, general lighting, etc. It was thought by Mr Birks, for the people of the district to say’what they wanted and they would receive every asistance. Mr Massey expressed himself in practically the same terms when I saw him in Wellington, concluded the chairman. It was moved by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr* Kettle that the Mayor bo congratulated on the splendid efforts made by him in the interests of the town. Mr Kettle said that the Chamber had no intention of playing second fiddle to Hokitika. Mr Thorpy said that the scheme should be purely a Municipal one, that the Chamber should not be tied down to helping private companies. Mr Naylor said that the Kanieri scheme was out of the question altogether as a Government expert had stated that only 2,800 h.p. could result from the said locality, whereas Lake Brunner was nearer and capable of 22,000 h.p. The Chairman moved that a telegram be sent to Mr Birks requesting him to confer with local bodies about the 18tli, and also to make a preliminary survey. This was seconded by Mr Kettle who added that the Member of the district should assist, and that his place was down here among the people who voted for him and not in Wellington. It was stated that three Power Boards will be necessary, one at Greymouth and the others at Reefton and Hokitika. Tt was moved by Mr Kettle and seconded by Mr Thorpy that Messrs E. J. Smith and F. Wade represent the Chamber along with two representatives from the. Borough Council, County Council, and Harbour Board, at a conference with Mr Birks upon his arrival.