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Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1930, Page 4

Whim? much has been expected from hydro-electric developments, the realities of Water power works have been rather disappointing, iri fact alarmingly so. The temporary failure of the Lake Coleridge water-power station to supply all the needs of its d-/strict is the latest of a series of disappointments that somewhat dim the radiance- of hopes of water-power development results. Luke Coleridge was the- first and the cheapest of the four great -Slate water-power schemes, none of which has entirely realised expectations. Mangahao cost much more than was anticipated; Waikarenioana fins been a disappointment in its production of power; Arapuni i« (temporarily, wo all hope) out of commission; and now Canterbury is on the verge of a power crisis/ and the “Press" suggests that Professor Horne-11 be asked to report on. the Lake- Coleridge work. The truth 'u that at the beginning too much was expected of water. The people- of the Dominion we-re natu,rally\eager to use water “going to waste,”' as the saying was. and to reduce dependence upon coal. They did not realise that (here are elements of uncertainty in water-power development; but they are now buying that knowledge, and it is going to be very costly. The propositions are affected materially by the seasons also, and overloading is soon demonstrated in droughty periods. Apparently Coleridge has been loaded far too much. It serves a great area with large populations and numerous industries. The units have been added from time to time, and in the present period of drought, the. latest unit has proved the last straw to break down the load. The worst aspect is that all localities witliir the reticulated area, are affected, and the people nre being put to great personal cost by reason of the serious dislocation. It would appear that It requires a very adequate- rainfall to keep Coleiidge going for the present load, and for that reason the interruptions are likely to recur. The outlook is not promising and must give the whole project a serious set back, Arapuni at the best is going to cost the country a great deal o r money. The present outlay is idle, and the loss must be considerable. New Zealand seems, to he heading towards a heavy annual loss with the hydro schemes, an with the railways. Tt is not a very ]vcasing outlook to see these public utilities in this jeopardy. Private enterprise would probably manage better, and certainly relieve the country of the enormous initial outlay, and the overreaching of the schemes whereby they arrive at breaking down point. Tin general situation is far from being a happy one, and the fact that the worst is not known yet, does not mend matters.