The Hokitika Guardian MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6th, 1922. NELSON AND COAST ELECTRIC SCHEMES.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6th, 1922. NELSON AND COAST ELECTRIC SCHEMES.

In the aannual report of the Chief Electrical Enigneer, of the Dominion, attached to the Public Works Statement, there is a lengthy reference to power proposals throughout New Zealand. After dealing with the principal centres of the East Coast, Mr Kirks turns his attention to the remainder of the South Island, dealing with the settled districts round Blenheim, Nelson, Westport, Greymouth, Hokitika, and with the very sparsely settled areas between. He goes on to report that taking the whole of the population, both towp and oountry, into appoint; the

following is the total demand, based on the very ample allogancQ of one horse-power to five head of population and in these sparsely settled districts it will take many years to reach this stage of development: District Popula’n. Horse-power required

Totals 74,968 15,000 Rut these districts differ from the rest of the Dominion in that the demand is more concentrated near the towns. There is very little dairying just round the centres of population; these centres are more widely separated; the connecting roads are very rough, mountainous, and difficult for transmissing line construction and maintenance, and, above ail, there are local water-powers near each centre which, with one exception, can be developed very cheaply up to the capacity required for ordinary domestic and industrial purposes for many years to come. No doubt the completely inter-connected scheme provided for. the rest of the island will ultimately be ’extended to these centres, as well, but the above circumstances render it impossible to justify main inter connecting-linos between these small centres' at present, and full surveys of each districts are necessary, irhe local sources that halve 'Been proposed are as follows: Ultimate Capacity Horse-power.

Marlborough District — Clarence River 14,000 "Wailiopai Riveit 2,000 Nelson District—

Gowan River (I/. Rotoroa) 30,000 Lake Rotoiti 10,000 Boulder Lake 11,000 Wairoa River 1,400 Bullor District—

Four-mile Creek 5,000 Greymouth District— Kumara Water-race 2,000 Westland District— Toaroha River 10,000 Kanieri Lake 3,000

Of these, preliminary examinations have been made during the year of the Clarence River, Wailiopai River and a detailed survey of the Gowan River. It is proposed during the coming year to carry these surveys on to the stages at which a definite decision can be made of th© most economical sources of supply for these districts. As regards existing supplies of electric power, Murchison County has just installed a I4Q- h.p. waterplant. Ar Reefton there is a water and steam plant generating 150 h.p. The existing hydro-electric plant at Kanieri Forks is supplying 700 h.p. within the Westland County (northern portion) there is a Westland Electric-Poxver District constituted; already,, liu,t this body is marking time to await ultimate action by the Kanieri Electric Power Coy. That body is now deriving 700 h.p. by its plant at Lake Kanieri which if utilised would render the water available being able to produce 3,000 h.p. The supply of electric power for the district is contingent in the main or. the developments following the dredging operations on Riinu Flat. So far they are eminently successful, returning a substantial profit, and it is notorious that the ground which gave the best prospecting results, is not reached yet. Tne profits in that area should be very substantial and those returns might determine the final decision as to a second dredge. That decided upon, would carry with it the provision for more power, and this, if sought, would be on a substantial scale, with ample in reserve for a third dredge, or for sale purposes in bulk. It would be possible for the Power Board to take power from the Company in bulk and reticulate it through th* district for the benefit of the farmers and industries. Events are now shaping towards a decision along those linos, and it is hoped during this year the matter will be finally determined and a decision taken along a definite course to give the district the benefit of by dro-electric power for industrial, farm and domestic purposes.

Marlborough ... 16,507 3,300 Nelson .... 23,566 4,700 Boiler .... 15,221 3,000 (! rc.v .... 12,382 2,500 Westland ... 7,292 1,500