WATER POWER.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 382, 29 July 1911, Page 5

WATER POWER.

The possibility of the Borough adopting electricity for lighting purposes led a "Chronicle' man to accompany Messrs Julian and Tammadge un Wednesday afternoon to the site of a lake which lies high up in the hills, about three miles from Te Kuiti. The route taken was down the Waiteti road to the Government quarry, thence through a patch of bush, crossing the Waiteti and after crossing the Mangaokewa, rising by a stiff climb to the lake, passing through Mr Julian's property on the way. The lake lies at the top of the hills with very little surrounding land draining into it, covers between two and three acres, and is said by the natives to never vary, winter or summer. The flat land on the edges of the lake is covered with scrub ti-tree, very tali, but thin. This could be cleared at little expense and made into a scenic resort of '".onsiderable local interest. The lake gives une the impression of being in the mouth of an old crater, and its depth must be considerable, as a 20ft line with a stone and a float on drew the float down under the water. There are three outlets for the water, 'one on the west side, another on-the north-east and another at the other end. The party did not see all the outlets, but one on the west side was giving a fair flow of water. As the crow flies, a cut of a mile would bring the stream into the Mangackewa near the limeworks, and then it would be easy to run either a live wire from a generating station there, or the water power direct to Te Kuiti. Doubtless the discussion which is to come on various lighting projects will lead to the call for expert opinion, and if that is decided on it is to be hoped the lake referred to wil! be considered and reported on together with other alternative schemes.