HYDRO-ELECTRIC SUPPLY.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 May 1919, Page 3

HYDRO-ELECTRIC SUPPLY.

THE POSITION IN TARANAKI. The question of hydro-electric supply, which is a matter of great importance to Taranaki, was briefly discussed at the meeting of the Egmont County Council on Tuesday, when the Patea County Council forwarded a resolution suggesting that the various local bodies in Taranaki and the Auckland Electric League should unite with a view to urging on the Government that a hydroelectric scheme should be evolved for the North Island, especially urging the Awapuni site on the Waikato river as the best available. The chairman said that the natter was a most important one. He considered that their only hope was for the New Plymouth people to borrow more money and increase their power. Patea had studied the question and he moved that they support the resolution. Cr. O'Brian urged caution. He considered that what suited New Plymouth district should suit Opunake district. It was better to defer decision until it was ascertained what New Plymouth intended to do. The chairman pointed out that by the time the Government scheme was in working order New Plymouth would need all the power it could generate. He understood from an engineer that if New Plymouth borrowed another £30,000 it could generate enough power to supply Opunake and Eltham. It was pointed out that the resolution should urge the Government to include Taranaki in the North Island scheme. It would not do to dictate to the Government as to where the electricity should be generated. After further discussion the resolution was approved.