HYDRO-ELECTRONIC POWER

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1921, Page 4

HYDRO-ELECTRONIC POWER

A I’OVERT!' BAY SCHEME GISBORNE, Eeb 18. Hydro-electric power works which are being installed near Rakaora, 38 miles from Gisborne, in the Waikoliu Valley, were inspected to-day by the travelling members of Parliament. At present the enterprise is a private one. Ihe plan was to supply power to Gisborne and district by July next, the total cost being £3OO,(KX>. Until recently the municipal authorities of Gisborne have not favoured the scheme, but have looked instead towards the power source at Waikaremoana. Now these differences have been buried and the speedy development of the Waikoliu scheme is desired so that power may be obtained while the Waikaremoana scheme is being developed. The company, however, has met with financial difficulties the financial stringency making it impossible for it to call up more share capital.

Mr H. Delatour, the chairman, explained to the visitors that the only object of the private venure was to supply cheap power to the Poverty Bay district. Hu had seen Mr Massey, who had recommended that a power board should be formed, to which the company should sell out. Probably an airangoment of this kind would be made, and as legislation might be necessary 1,0 was glad that some of the members had been able to see what was being attempted for a district which had no coal and which had to depend for supplies upon an inadequate shipping seivice. Tt was stated that Mr E. Parry had commended the scheme as a good connecting link between Waikaremoana and A ra P uni - Mr G. Wildish, Mayor of Gisborne, supported the speaker, and Mr S. Williams M.P., for the district, said that this power would develop Lie district enormously When the visitors saw the district they would realise that the scheme was worthy of their support. Speaking for the visitors, Mr J. P. Luke said that, without seeing details, he could not give al conclusive opinion, lnit if the scheme had the approval of Mr Coates’ experts it was a sound one. He realised the importance of hydroelectric power to the district, and declared that if they could anticipate the development of Waikaremona by two or three years it would be a good business proposition. He hoped that they would be'able to meet all their wants out of this scheme, so that, the city of Wellington could got some oi the Wnikeromoana surplus. Thu plan is to dam a rocky gorge and create a lake of 480 acres. From this a tunnel is to be driven through a hill a distance of two miles. This wdl connect with surge pipes, which will ( rive a fall of 900 ft. to the power house on the banks of the Waikohu River. This is estimated to develop 8000 lioisepower. It is contended that it will he a very cheap undertaking. So far the company has spent £IOO,OOO. A long road has been mado to the scene of operations, a modern camp is established, and a number of drives have been mado into the north side of the hiill to make it possible for the tunnel to be driven rapidly.