ELECTRIC POWER.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 26 September 1919, Page 3

ELECTRIC POWER.

THE MANGAHAO SCHEME. VIGILANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. Mr E. H. Crabb, on behalf of the vigilance committee of the Mangahao Hydro-Electric Power League, submitted a report to tho Chamber of (Jommerce at its meeting at Palmerston North. The report stated that the committee was not satisfied with the rae at which the work was being carried out, and was taking steps to bring its views before the Minister for Public Works. Ho trusted that the members of the Chamber would assist

by bringing before Parliament tho need for getting tho whole of the monoy required for completing the work voted this session, and by pressing for the e»tablishmont of a non-political board of control, as set out in Mr Parry's report in 1918, charged with tho duty of constructing the installation with as little delay as possible. The committee felt that if the same methods were followed as had been the 'invariable practice with railway construction, they would seo six or seven schemes started and . allowed to proceed leisurely, with nono completed for years to come. Mr Parry had stated repeatedly that, given a free hand, the scheme could be completed within four years from the time the preliminary works wore started. At the present rate it would take ten years. Tho committee considered that this should be altered and the time limit should be adhered to as set out by one of the most competent engineers New Zealand ever possessed. Mr Crabb, in presenting the roport, said that it. was absolutely necessary that the work should bo taken in hand more energetically. No attempt had been made to increase tho engineering staff, and it looked as if the whole of Canterbury would be served before they got a chance in tho North Island. :tf something was not done, the whole of the South Island would be reticulated before attention was given to the work in this district, and ho "urged that pressure should bo kept on members of Parliament to get the Mangahao scheme pushed ahead. It was decided to support the proposals made by the vigilanco committee, and also to ask Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., to give them his support.— 1 ' Standard.''