A New Hydro-Electric Development.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1922, Page 4

A New Hydro-Electric Development.

What promises to become one of th? most interesting engineering developments in the production of electric power production in New Zealand has been initiated in North Taranaki. It has been decided to utilise the extensive coal areas adjacent to the Mokau River and with the co-operation of Messrs Summerson and Sons, of Darlington, Englaud, the ironsand deposits are at last to come into commercial significance. What this industry alone will mean to New Zealand is not difficult to estimate, but the scheme is so flexible and its radius of operation so large that it will eventually supply the major portion of electric power for the whole of the Taranaki provincial district and in this respect will afford an interesting comparison with the various Government hydro-electric undertakings, with regard both to capital expenditure and operating costs. The great strides made in steam turbine construction and their marked efficiency are factors favouring this form of power production. The dairying industry will receive a marked stimulus as over 200 cheese and butter factories will come under the influence system, with, it is believed, the effect that a marked decrease in costs of production will be shown.