DEVELOPING ELECTRICITY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 44, 6 October 1911, Page 6

DEVELOPING ELECTRICITY.

■ 'lOl ——L J 'i -iII—LC—THE SCHEME.

1 (jPor Press Association.)

Wellington, October 5

A deputation from Pahiatua to-day asked tba Hon. R. McKenzie, Minister for Public Works ,if th : Govern- ■.; vi * . . ment would consider the Makuri Falls as a possible source of hydroelectric power. Mr W. W. MeCardle (Mayor of Pahiatua) said the Borough Council was faced with the question of .either taking over the gasworks from a private company or getting electrical power. Mr Nash, Mayor of Palmerston, and others also spoke. Replying, the Minister said the Government had to look at the question from a national and not a local point of view. To start developing small schemes would lead to failure. /Larger schemes would lie the hotter for the whole country. The Government was considering the dm, elopmeut of the Lake Waikarcmoana scheme, which would not cost

mao. than the Makui« scheme,

and, wouhi supply the whole of the North island . He was satisfied that •electricity' w;U going to revolutionise'our ideas of railway work in New Zealand. Probably this session the Government iwould ask for authority to' 1 start to construct a small electrical: branch as an experiment.