POWER SCHEME APPROVED.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1926, Page 4

POWER SCHEME APPROVED.

WEST COAST SOUNDS. WELLINGTON, January 21. Tho Government lias approved an Order-in-Council authorising a New Zealand syndicate to utliise the waters from Lake Manapouri and other sources running into Doubtful Sound for generating clectricty. There was considerable controversy when the scheme was first projected, as it was thought by some that valuable scenic features, such as the Bowen Falls. Milford Sound, would be destroyed. The sphere of operations is now well away from, the frequented scenic centre and will not interfere with, natural features.

Authority is given to the licensees to take sufficient water to generate up to 250,000 horse-power. The length of the concession is sixty years, when the Crown will have the right to take over the works by payment of the then value, or, if the option is not exercised to grant a renewal for a further fortytwo years at a rent to he fixed. Th» rent for the first term is at the rate of one shilling per kilowatt per annum of maximum output, and will he chargeable five years after the company Jins generated power for general purposes.

One condition of the license is that the charge for electrical energy supplied at the licensees’ power-house shall not exceed one penny per unit. An area of supply in Lake County is defined in the Ordcr-in-CouneU. The licensees undertake within seven years to develop 25,000 kilowatts or to expend on the works at least £IOO,OOO otherwise the license will lapse. Among the conditions of the license are that the licensees will not permit their employees to do anything which may cause destruction of birds or any form of wild animal life, nor shall they unnecessarily cause serious disfigurement from a scenic point of view, and they undertake to use all precautions to preserve the scenic attractions of the neighbourhood.

The power works will he situated in Doubtful Sound, and will utilise several falls capable of giving a total power supply of 250,000 liorse-power. The syndicate which has obtained the license from the Government is a preliminary one, which has provided sufficient capital for surveys and legal preliminaries. It now will bo necessary to form, a company, the licensees undertaking to do so within six years. Power will be used for tho manufacture of synthetic nitrate, which is the chemical base for a number of valuable products, including fertilisers and sulphuric acid required for the production of superphosphates. The licensees arc Gerald Fitzgerald, Wellington, company director ; Charles Edward Daniel], Masterton, merchant; Arthur Leigh. Hunt, Wellington, company director; "William Dufl’us Hunt, Wellington, company director; I’hineas Levi, Wellington, solicitor; John Gerric Neil, Dunedin, manufacturing chenv ist; Joseph Orchiston. Wellington, re-

tired telegraph engineer; Lemuel Thomas Watkins, Wellington, master printer; Sir James Glcnny Wilson, Bulls, farmer; and Hnrben Robert Young, Westport, civil engineer.