SPECIAL ARTICLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1922, Page 4

SPECIAL ARTICLE.

Jlydro-fcleMi'ic Power

WHITE COAL REfebtlllCES OF

WESTLAND,

(By D. J. Evans). Written for the “Lyttelton Times.”

As regards water-power, there is every reason for hoping that in time to come it will bring a prosperity to Westland eqiiiil to that of the mining industry in its best days, and incomparably more permanent in its nature. Tiie above is an extract from Bulletin No. G, covering the geology of the Mikonui Subdivision, North Westland, by Mr Percy Gates Morgan of tlie New Zealand Mines Department. That the prophecy is pregnant with great possibilities, a study of the Recorded hydro-electric power available in Northern Westland, bears out. The New Zealand official year book gives the following list of sources of power and ti e average horse power:— H.P. Kumara Water-race Otira river 2 Bolleston river Lake Kanieri Toaroha river Whitcombe river Ih,UUU Kakabotahi river 4 >' 00 Wanganui river 40,000 Wataroa river 80,600 Tliere are numerous other sources of power further south in Westland Cmintv hut they are iri sparsely populated districts, and in any case are more than 50 miles from Hokitika, the nearest town. It will he seen therefore that in respect to water-power, “Westland is richly gifted” to again quote Mr P. G. Morgan. Canterbury renders familiar with the remarkable developments which follow the introduction of electric-power for lighting, boating and industrial jitirpbsoS, iVlll 'realise that across the ranges in Westland thei'e are latent possibilities in regard to development and expansion which in time to come will bring to the country, and incidentally to the Dominion, gicaier and more permanent prosperity than yet has been enjoyed—despite the magic effect of the gold discoveries in opening up and giving New Zealand its first'real start in national life. The short distance on the West Coast from the mountains to the sea, gives the rivers rising in the snowy Hinges considerable natural velocity, and there are vefv few streams which cannot be harnessed and profitably utilised were an industrial centre to He established ~vit;; : n range. The natural conditions t.c provided in Westland for a gffeat industrial cleVeldpmcnl. To aid natur",

•apuul and enterprise are required to p in and utilise the sources of pouter ■iv: liable, and Mr Morgan’s prophecy qmrtcd above will sjvedily come to pass.

As to the sources of power iminediavailable, a branch oi the Roll.s|.,ii is already harnessed tor power purposes for works iii connection with the Arthur’s* Biss tunnel. So, also, is Fake Kanieri * partially utilised for hydro-electric purposes. The lake waieis are conveyed upwards of five miles by water race to a site at Kanieri Forks where power is generated a-.d is utilised for lighting tiie town ol Hokitika, but mainly for working the huge dredge on Hina Flat, South of Hokitika, which is electrically driven. The dredge is being worked very successfully with the power, and the ground operated on is proving very profitable, the average yield of gold being over 150 ozs per week with bet ft r prospects ahead. The present uses is . the capacity of the supply of water now drawn off from the hike, but it is possible by tapping the lake waters at another point, to obtain a better head of water and a greatci margin ot power. The advisability of this .is now under consideration. The success of the dredging operations is encouraging the promoters to put a second and larger dredge on the Rimu Flat, with the possibility of a third to follow. There is a- very considerable area of ground to work by the American Company holding the mining rights, and as American methods are to bustle, the designs of the management are to work out the ground at a much quicker rate than one dredge—however successful it might be —could do. Therefore, if Lake Kanieri is not further developed for power purposes, some other adjacent source of power might bo taken up. Lake Kanieri is so placed physically that it could he supplemented from the Arablira River by a flow of water which would greatly enhance its situation value as a useful source of hydroelectric purposes. Next to Lake Kanieri, the source of power considered best in Westland as being adjacent to Hokitika (seventeen miles) is undoubtedly Toaroha. Attention was drawn to this source by the Geological Department when it was operating to advantage in active exploration work in New Zealand. Private enterprise took up this project some years ago when Mr Roderick M’Ken/.ie was -Minister of Mines and Public Works. A project was afoot to develop the power then, but a satisfactory franchise could not be obtained. An English company was on the tapis, the capital being in sight, when the negotiation broke down through the conditions sought to be imposed by the Government. The power has remained undeveloped ever since. However, its value is not being overlooked, and its development is one of the possibilities within the next decade. When that comes to pass, it will be ah event second only in importance to tli'e opening of the Midland railway, for it will give Westland a fillip industrially, and prove of the greatest advantage to the town of Hokitika which will become the chief manufacturing centre on the Wiest Coast. It is doubtful •whether this good fortum will come to pass with the financial aid of the Government. So many large national power schemes are afoot in both islands, that there will be a difficulty for some time in finding the money to push them ahead as fast as the conditions warrant. Presumably then, the development of Toaroha will he a matter for private enterprise, and that at this juncture should he encouraged in every way possible, the Government imposing such reasonable safeguards as will enable the country to convert it into ft national servioe scheme when it has fntids to acquire what in the meantime would be a very valuable power-service promoting and developing industry in

I the district. When lecturing in Christchurch recently Dr Teichelinann spoke of Wtestland as being the Cinderella province of the Dominion. In the matter of h.vdrO-efectfic clevelo'pilierit she will certainly be neglected by the Motllef Goternihefit, .but if Prince Charming garbed in the splendid raiment of a rioh private enterprise comes along, it is to be hoped the overtures to wed the treasure of Westland will be acceptable to the Mother Government which has the power to demand such dowry as the marriage prospects might justify. 'ihe Whitcomhe source of power is only some twenty miles from Hokitika, and is probably more accessible so far as a service road would be concerned than Toaroha, but has not the facilities of the latter for holding up a supply of water fUr permanent pressure purposes. The two sources are in the same region and tile waters from both find their way ultimately into the Hokitika River, lloth. arc set in remarkably fine scenic country, and splendid forest land's are adjacent. 'file sources of power further south, while large become more and more remote from the centres, being in fact beyond the present railhead. In time as the railway is pushed south, and there was the occasion, ample power could be picked up for the electrification of the lines. There are many small supplies of water which could be harnessed now in the dairying centres of South Westland. The W 7 a taro a Flat is well situated for such a development, and the settlers would find it a great boon to hate their plant and machinery driven By Selectric power, their homes lit, aiid much of the domestic work done by the application of electricity. In some isolated cases settlers are now taking this matter up, finding out what a boon electric light and power, has proved to tl,e Canterbury settlers and one or two striking examples here, and there will be a demand to participate in tble comfort and convenience afforded by harnessing adjacent creeks or falls to the old homestead. The future of Westland is thus gilded the high hopes engendered from developments following the tapping of tire sources of wealth pent up in the many Swift flowing rivets which cross the traveller’s path moving up' and doAm tlite district. The need for development is imperative in the light of the results which invariably follow in tlite train of a cheap porter service. Unfortunately, the isolation the district has hitherto suffered from, lias not giyen it the opportunity to people its ( |Hin spaces, but the district is on the eve of seeing its isolation removed, and facilities afforded for a ready ami regular change to quick transit. That desirable condition of affairs will assist to populate Westland--where there are great prospects for successful settlement. As population grows, there will come the demand for mote modern conveniences. Flectric-powier is the great aid to development in many of the new countries of the world. W ith the enterprise the same assistance to a new era will begin in Westland. The immensity of our forest supplies should call for great consumption of power if the country is to reap the benefit of nature’s lavish bounty here. Manufacturers should find W’estland suitable for many industries with cheap power at command. The farming communities following tiie various branches of pastoral pursuits would he glad to avail themselves of a ready source of power Transport would lie facilitated, and generally if the white coal resources of Westland are listed industrially, a great change will !,c brought to pass, and the eouVitry would enter upon a period of prosperity as rich and permanent in promise ns Mr I*. 0. Morgan has p'r..'pbesied as being within the bounds of comparatively easy accomplishment.