HYDRO-ELECTRICITY

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1921, Page 1

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY

CRITICISMS OE COLERIDGE SCHEME. DUNEDIN, Feb 17. During the course of a deputation i which waited on the Hon J. G. Coates i to-day respecting the question of hydro i electric development in Otago, a sug- ■ gestion was made in several quarters : respecting the inadequacy of the Lake ■ Coleridge scheme to meet all tlie pos- • sible demands of the future. Mr .). Horn M.P., said that so far as lie knew Wanaka was the only scheme in the South Island which would give a surplus of power He could assure the Minister that there would he a sale for the power. There would not he more developed than Otago could use. The scheme would not only meet present demands, but requirements for years to come, and it could also supply South which was in a precarious position with respect to the supply of power. More power was needed there than could he obtained from Lake Coleridge. If power were available in Otago a great deal would lie used for mining and in development of other industries, which would benefit the province and the Dominion as a whole. At a later stage of the proceedings some account was given of what had been done at Lake Coleridge, and the Minister himself remarked, “Ac know that Coleridge cannot possibly meet all fntlire requirements.” Mr Loudon: Is it not a fact that bad the power at Coleridge been increased the demand would have been trebled.-' The Minister: J know that, but it is a question of funds after all. Continuing, he outlined the proposed scheme for Otago, involving an extension of A’aipori and provision of*a power station somewhere in Central Otago, possibly at Tcviot. This would enable a linking up with Coleridge to be effected in about two years’ time, and that would provide a standby for hot.) plants in case of break-down of either.