The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MAY 31, 1926. A DISTRICT ASSET.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MAY 31, 1926. A DISTRICT ASSET.

Tile conference at Kamara on Saturay niglit did not get very far in the negotiations regarding the disposal of the Kumara water rights. It may he said at the outset that it is regrettable that the Government should seek to dispossess itself of rights which as is well-known, cost a very large sum, and have a value difficult to estimate. The water races were brought in ill tli.3 early days of the goldfields when water was an essential part of alluvial mining. The rights tap the main available sources of supply in northern Westland, and are conserved in their utility by a chain of dams artificially constructed which likewise cost a great deal of money. The water supply provided was valuable in that it was effective in retaining a considerable population who were producers and .consumers of special value fp the ma-

terial progress of New Zealand. With the decline of gold-mining the races ceased to earn an adequate amount for their upkeep, and of late years they are a charge on the revenue of the country. But they are rights of potential value. They have served the country well, and may do so again, for the mineral resources are by no means exhausted. Apart from their rational value, they have a district value which make them an exceptional asset for the place, in that the rights command sources of water' supply which are equal to providing some 2000 effective horse-powi?r for industrial and domestic use, if harnessed and electric current were developed. So far as North Westland is concerned it is said to bo tbc readiest source of supply for h.vI dro-electrie development. This is an age in which in particular hydro-elec-tric development is having its day. Throughout New Zealand there are many schemes, mostly largo undertakings of the nature referred to. Here there is not the opening for a large undertaking, in that population is sparse and widely spread, while industry is limited not to centres, but to locations at points fairly wide apart. Any electric scheme in Westland must of necessity be fully investigated to avoid the district entering upon an undertaking which might be unduly burdensome. But it would appear there are facilities in the water rights referred to for a local scheme at a reasonable cost, winch would enable electric current to be distributed through mining, milling and farming centres from Kokatahi to Kumara, which, on the face of it, would present a promising financial aspect. The Westland Power Board which has moved very circumspectly in the matter of introducing electric power to the district has been described as pursuing a policy of masterly inactivity. The Board has been marking time in the interests of the district, but at last there seems to be a way out by which electric current may lie introduced to the district, nr the main part of it without unduly saddling the community with loans and the burden of the inevitable rating. For that reason the Board lias moved in the attempt to secure tlie water rights as a district asset. The rights are within the area of the Westland Board, and as its community arc without the benefit- of electric current, it should follow that the Board should have first say in the matter. It is at this point where the Gn?y Power Board enters, and lays some claim to the same rights. The Grey Board lias had a career which has attracted a good deal of attention, inside and outside its area. It undertook originally to start a hydro-electric scheme, but on probing costs it elected to change over to steam, and actually turned down the Tvumnra water rights. Steam is now creating electric current for the Grey Board, and it is pleasing to know that the product from the plant so far installed is not likely to satisfy the local demand for current. It is in tlv-se circumstances the Board has started to look for more power, and casts its eves on the Kuniarn rights. But the Kumara rights have their limitations, and added to the steam production will not supply all the power the Board will be likelv to want. Inevitably the Grey Board must find more power still, and it would be more in reason to look for a larger supply of water than the Kumara rights offer, so as to ensure a staple progressive power supply without scattering plants all over the district. It seems to lie a case from an economic point of view that if should he hands off the Westland source of power. Norih Westland is without power at present, and it is evident now nojds it. The one source within the Westland Power Board area for practical use should be the district asset of Westland. - What Westland 1 has jn this respect it should hold, and 1

in any further conferences on the matter that seems to be the attitude the Westland Board will have to take up Reverting to the position of' tho Government, we venture to say this is not a departmental matter. The disposal of the water rights should be decided by Cabinet and not by a Ministcr. The full facts of the matter, to include the local situation, should be revealed to the Ministry as a whole, and a plea made for an asset of such value to be retained .for the benefit of tho district in which it is situated. The local situation will no doubt be made clearer when the Westland Power Board meets again during the week to consider what is virtually an ultimatum by the Minister of Mines. A very fair proposal was put up by the Chairman of the Westland Board. The interests of Ivuinara town and district were to lie safeguarded, and the rights were to be used in a legitimate way for tho advancement of the district. What more could any Government wish'in regard to the utilisation of an asset of such distinctive value?