MASTERTON MOTIVE POWER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 257, 28 March 1914, Page 5

MASTERTON MOTIVE POWER

AX ELECTRICAL SCHEME SUG- I G'ESTED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Mastevtos, Thursday. A proposal that the Government should give some attention to a scheme for harnessing the Ruamnhanga and Waingawa rivers was put before the Minister of .Marine (the lion. F. AI. B. Fisher) today by a deputation representative of the Atastcrton Chamber of Commerce. It was pointed out that industries in and around Masterton were at present strangled by the high cost of coal and the railway freights upon it. More industries, the deputation'urged, could be successfully carried on if cheaper motive power could be provided. Afr. J. C. Cooper, manager of the Waingawa Afeat Cumpuny, said that the coal bill for the. company's works was £5200 per year, and even if electric power were available £IOOO worth of coal would still lie required every year, lie was informed that the Waingawa river could lie harnessed for £50,000. If the (iovemmeiit were not prepared to undertake the work, lie believed his company would go on with it if the Government gave permission. Afr. Fisher said the scheme seemed u very feasible one. 'He pointed out, however, that. Alaslevton was lighted by gas, supplied by the borough, and the scheme proposed might all'cet the gas enterprise, lie promised to bring the matter under the notice of the Minister of Public Works.