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Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1920, Page 2

It is notified that the petition to the Governor-General to create an Electric Power District for Westland is now in circulation. According to the procedure set out under the Act passed in 1918, districts with elective Boards

may be set up after a petition in due order lias been lodged. The district j proposed is that part of the Westland I County, north of the Mikonui j River and excluding the three interior Boroughs. Within the proposed area there arc 1,073 ratepayers and to ren- ] der the petition effective not less than one-fourth of the number .of ratepayers must sign. The satisfactory completion of the petition is only a very short step towards the ultimate goal for it enables only the district to be created. Thereafter nine members of the Board have to lie elected and to that Board falls the onus of puffing the important scheme in motion. Naturally the first step would lxv for the Board to obtain expert advice as to a power scheme, the cost of same, its scope and earning capabilities. It would bo -for tbe Board then to formulate a definite loan proposal to go before the ratepayers of the district, and the accoptarice of same would rest of course with the electors. The signing of the petition now being circulated is thus a preliminary step lending up to the general campaign which is to follow. Much

has been heard of the efficacy of power schemes all over the World. There is

no doubt this immediate district ' of Westland has several likely sources for

the derivation of water power. It becomes a question of cost of harnessing the electric power and distributing it. Oiice the power is being produced the experience all over the ‘world is that the demand will ffrow and grow. Hero there is every likelihood, of the same experience coming to pass. The enterprise is one destined to play a great part in the future of Westland, and ’t is hoped the people will have the courage to go forward—for success will crown the effort. As time goes on more and more enlightenment will oe given as' to the great possibilities,- but till a. Board is set up, and concrete proposals put forward the fulT" opportunity now offering will hardly be realised at its true value.