"ANOTHER WHITE ELEPHANT"

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 248, 21 October 1942, Page 4

"ANOTHER WHITE ELEPHANT"

SETTLER ASSOCIATION'S OPINION. A MAJOR SCHEME SUGGESTED. "We consider that nothing but a major scheme should be undertaken and it is very doubtful if the Cobb scheme would not be another white elephant," stated a letter received by the Power Board yesterday from the Wairau Valley Settlers' Association. The Association advised that it had adopted a motion complimenting the Murchison County Council on arranging a conference to consider the advancement of the Nelson and Marlborough provinces— particularly in regard to electricity. Mr A. H. Nees said he had not been present at the Association's meeting, but apparently the settlers in the area were of the opinion that the Cobb was not going to fill the bill. "I might say that I am at variance with them to a certain extent. Under certain conditions I consider that the Cobb would, but these conditions have not been fulfilled yet," he added. The Association was of the opinion that the Gowan scheme should be developed. It was felt that this would provide a major scheme which would be worthy of being connected up with the other major South Island schemes and provide a ring similar to that existing in the North Island. He considered that this was a sound point of view, but whether the Government would consider the development of the Gowan 01* not was another matter. A plentiful supply of electricity was a most important thing for the country, and the Association was taking a long-distance view. Mr C. E. Costello said he was not going to tie himself to the Cobb. What he did want to see was a scheme that would be large enough to supply all the provinces concerned. All the Power Boards had done the same — they had gone on for ten years or so and had then run out of "juice." He considered the proposed conference would do a lot of good. On Mr A. H. Nees's motion it was decided to appoint the chairman (Mr H. J. Stace) as a delegate to attend the conference being arranged by the Murchison County Council, and to advise the Settlers' Association of this course.