Waikare-Moana Scheme.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 March 1923, Page 1

Waikare-Moana Scheme.

TURNING OX THE CURRENT. WAIUOA, .Mmrcli 9. The nflicinl opening of tlie first stage of the Waiknre-.Moanu hydro-eloctiie power scheme, look nhn A at mid-day today. when the Hon .1. 0. Coates ]<•;. tunned the ceremony of turning on the current -at the hoadworks near the' lake, 28 miles from Wairoa. There was a large attendance from all pails of the district, as well a.s from all ocer the Kast Coast, practically all the local bodies being represented. There were also some nine or ten members of Parliament present. The Maoris of the leUe district, assembled in strong toice and gave a real native webume. Appropriate speeches were dellve’ed by .Mr (i. C. Ormond (chairman of t• t Wairoa Power Board). Sir .lam s (nr roll, and the lion -I. G. Coates. .Mr Coates dealt with the histm • i i i he Dominion's hydro-elect rie -.l’••eiopinont. The (.'overoiment. he -aid. was now developing a three key > hem,■ .a the X'orth I-land. Alangalian. \r-pani. ami Waikare-.Moana. The last mentioned would undoubtedly be the must important .and would Im the basis of a reserve for all other scheme in the .North Island. Mr Coates paid a tribute to the generous dealing ul the Maoris of the district with regard to 7!..1KK) acres of hush laud skirting the shores of the lake absolutely necessary for ruin conservation. The present scheme cost £-17.00.). Much reading required to lie done first. Tim whole v. rk was being splendidly carried out hv ihe Public Works' men. A nig Maori least was afterwards provided for the whole of the visitors ;, lU I tl<s' Minister later turned in the purer of the new electric motors. The Wairoa freer,ing works is the largest power consumer. A similar ceremony took place in the borough at night, at which many complinienary speeches were made, and a banquet followed. The function was ;i 1 - !■■nded hv a large and representative gathering.