WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1923, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES.

WELLINGTON’S HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEME.

COSTLY AND EAR AWAY

(Special to “Guardian”.) WELLINGTON, Sop. 12. Mr George Mitchell, reporting to tiie Central Progress League, though hesitating to set up his own judgment against the predictions of the Minister of Public Works, obviously is not very sanguine of the Mangahao hydro-elec-tric scheme, which is to supply Wellington and the surrounding districts with light and power, being completed up to the amended scheduled time. “ Any power by June.” lie writes after reviewing the whole position, “ means tlie early completion of the pipe line and Arapeti dam, energetic work in pushing on the Mangahao dam, and the absence of floods or other causes ol delay. The former should he possible, the latter we cannot control. Some months ago I stated that the work would cost double the original estimate. I trust now that this prophecy is not too low an estimate. It will lie a line work and a great boon to our district when completed, but very costly.” 1 lie point of interest to outside districts in r.P this is that the Minister's announcement that when all the works of the kind are completed the charge for current will lie on a flat rate based on the total cost of them all. DISTRIBUTING THE BURDEN.

This will mean that whatever the cost of the supply, whether comparatively low as in the ease of Christchurch, or comparatively high as in the case of Wellington, the charge for current will he the same everywhere. Strong representations have been made to tlie Hon. J. C. Coates on this point, hut so faille lias given no indication of any intention to modify the determination lie announced ir year or so ago. Meanwhile a good deal of indignation has been expressed from districts which have been modest in their demands and energetic in satisfying their own requirements. Canterbury mado an early start in the development of this class of enterprise, thanks largely, as the people of the province in these later days seem apt to forget, to the foresight and courage of the late Mr T. K. Taylor, and it naturally feels it should continue to enjoy the advantages it won for itself. Wellington, on tho other hand, will he very glad indeed to “ pool ” the whole of the works and so shift a large part of the high cost of the Mangahao scheme on to other shoulders than its own. Canterbury, of course, is not tlie only district that objects to shouldering part of Wellington’s burdens. There are hydro-electrie instalments all over the country that will cost substantially less, pro rata, than the one at Maugaliao, and their promoters will kick hard against any attempt to load them with tlie results of Wellington's ill-fortune. MUNICIPAL TROUBLES.

The delay in the completion of its hydro-electric scheme is not the only trouble that is besetting the capital city just now. A close investigation of the municipal milk supply has disclosed a very unsatisfactory financial position, and Mr FT. I). Bennett, the capable chairman of tlie committee responsible for Ibis particular part of the City Council's activities, has insisted upon more biisine.-.s-like administration. The municipal control of the supply has been highly satisfactory so far as the quality of the milk and its delivery arc concerned, but a high price has not been siillieient to cover the cost and the account has drifted on to the wrong side of the ledger to the extent of several thousand pounds. Some of the members of tlie Council, apparently preferring the line of least resistance, are favourable to a return to the old system of private supply: but Mr liennott. having regard to the health of the community, declares such a retrograde step “ unthinkable ” and is up plying himself lu a revision of the system, which he hopes will plate it t.|o;t a sound financial basis without matcrinllv increasing the price, and at the sum time ensure a clean and wholesome supply. THE BUTTER POOL. Tlie chief electoral officer, who hits boon deputed to take the poll which is to decide the fate of Hie Dairy Produce Export Control Bill, is now receiving applications from suppliers for registration as voters. It is estimated that the roll when complete w ill contain some 50,1KK) names, though so far there has been no groat rush to get on (he roll. Applications for enrolment must |v> made by Friday next, and it is expected that a week will be occupied in the preparation of the official list. Unvoting papers will have to he post U to the returning officer by October 1”, ami the result of the referendum ought to he known the following day. The general impresion hero is that the proposals of the Bill will lie continued by a majority of tlie suppliers, but the political supporters of i lie measure are not quite so confident to-day as they were a week ago. The suggestion that the selling agents in London are not likely to welcome the scheme and may even turn their attention to the development of other sources of supply has gone some way towards alarming the producers. Then the leaders of the movement never have made themselves quite clear on the question of finance, and their ambiguity, so it is said, is occasioning hesitation on the pait of ««me of their more timid supporters.