Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1920. ELECTRIC POWER.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1920. ELECTRIC POWER.

The reference to hydro-electric power in the Public Works Statement shows that the country as a whole cannot do better than develop© all the power it reasonably can as quickly as possible Lake Coleridge scheme despite its novelty and the hostility which had to be overcome, has proved itself a great success. Looking to> the future, and the need for curtailing the consumption of fuel of all description, the necessity for providing more and more pow;er is of the greatest importance. Not only will then l be an important saving in coal and oil fuels by reason of the utilisation of hydro-elecric power, but there will be much greater efficiency and more economic use in the power developed. This fact is evidenced by the figures given in relation to the provincial saving electric power has elfeffccted in Canterbury. The figures are most impressive, and as the power plants grow } and the years roll by the national saving will .increase proportianatel’y. In the light of the saving possible, the fact that twenty or more millions are to be spent to develope electric power in the two Islands under Government schemes, the expenditure is really trifling. In addition to paying, its way, Lake Coleridge, which lias cost in the region of two millions, saved the Canterbury peopeople during tl»a year about £300.000 on other fuel, -and supplied ten thousand homes and dozens of factories and workshops with increased comfort and efficiency. New Zealand is repeating in this respect the experience which other countries have enjoyed by a forward policy of development of hydro-electric sources of power. Here in Westland we cannot expect the Government to come along with a national scheme. Particularly in regard to hydro-electric-ity and national development we shall remain the Cinderella province of the Dominion. We have power in' abundance waiting to be liamessed but on the surface have not the industries nor the population to be consumers. If the district is to derive immediate benefit from the use of electric powsr has to work out its own salvation. A proposal to that end is now afoot and tb first step is the sotting up of an electric-power board' which is to be constituted next week. It is estimated that 1,500 horse-power will meet the requirements of the area for the timebeing. The question is the cost of the development of the power. There should he a demand for the energy as soon as it is available. The average cost for power sold in the South Island now is one and a third pence per unit. In the North Island, the rate is just over two pence. The price of course will bo governed by .the capital outlay, and the demand for the power produced, but in all cases mentioned in the annexe to the Public Works Statement, there seems to be a large demand. The question is one affecting the fn/’■(■e of the district. Electfric-power is a. special aid to industrial expansion following from the efficiency and economy of the power over the use of fuels With so much to be learned by example the district will be beliind-hand if it fails to take the project for electricpower for Westland into serious consideration and sets about formulaing a scheme which will meet the present and prospective requirements of the place