HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER

Hokitika Guardian, 18 April 1928, Page 1

HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER

FOR NORTH WESTLAND. Hydro-electric power for North AVesthmd was an accomplished fact yesterday when the Westland Power Company Ltd. sent through the first supply to he used at Alalfroy’s sawmill, Araliura Road. The power was utilised for operating the mill machinery, and there was a try-out with a heavy saw. some hoards being sawn off a large log. It is a comparatively short time now since the Westland Power Ltd. took over from the AYestlaiid Electric Power Board, the rights acquired by the latter to the Government water races serving Kumara and northern goldfields. The Company, however, has been pushful in its operations and electric current has been delivered practically within the stipulated period. When the Manager, -Mr J. S. Langford, promised to have the power in by Easter, most people thought he was over-sanguine, hut the result has proved otherwise and reflects to the credit of his organisation and to the ready co-operation of his assistants and staff of employees. For hydro-electric purposes the Government water race is tapped at the cast-iron pipe line between Duffers and Lonplinc roads, and a development plant is installed at that site. The plant utilised is a provisional one, ultimately to he used for secondary purposes, as the main development station is to he adjacent to Dillnianstown, overlooking Teremaknu river. From the station now established a reticulation line has been run down to the Aruhum river, and thence by Arahtira Valley to the main highway near the Arahura Stale School. The electric power line then follows the road to the old established sawmill known as Malfroy’s, situate adjacent to Little Han Hail or Four Mile Creek.

As tlio whole of the Arahura Valley will he reticulated, most ol the settlers will he taking power and light for farming and domestic purposes, and as the line is now available the great convenience of the service is now awaiting their readiness to take the current. Wliiie the line has been carried to Malfroy’s mill, a second line is being constructed to the Kaniori-llokitikn sawmill on the.outskirts of Hokitika, eastern boundary, and this mill also is to be operated electrically, the plant for which is now being installed. In a very short, time, therefore, the power will lie used industrially in our neighbourhood. Another purpose for immediate use is the mining proposition now being developed at Red Jacks, near Goldsborough. There the Skippers’ .Mining Coy has set in and will utilise the electric power for pumping water and so save the cost ol race construction and maintenance. This operation would he in hand now, hut for the unforeseen delay in procuring the necessary pumps, hut the plant will arrive shortly .and another industrial concern he in operation.

These three main services will afford settlers and residents generally along the different unites an opportunity to tap the lines for power and light, and many consumers are now being hooked up. There is enquiry for power ill other directions, and a strong demand for the use ol' the electric current in i lie Kanieri-Kokatahi-Koiteraiigi districts. As soon as possible these districts will be served also, so that there is a promising demand to reward the enterprise shown.

The preliminary tests now being carried out are said to he very satisiactory, and indicate a good steady supply of current. No doubt for many industrial purposes electricity will he very adaptable, and where the current is available it will not he surprising to find new industries growing up. Jhe prospects arc very pleasing, and there is the promise of a good reward to those ungaged in the venture. Ihe Company is certainly to he congratulated on the celerity with which the undertaking is being carried out.