HYDRO ELECTRICITY.

Wairarapa Age, 23 March 1920, Page 5

HYDRO ELECTRICITY.

Lake Coleridge Scheme.

AN INTERESTING ADDRESS.

I An interesting address in connecj tion with hydro-electric development | in Canterbury was delivered by Mr ■H. Holland, formerly Mayor of Christchurch, at the Progressive League luncheon in Masterton yesterday. Mr F. W. Temple, who occupied the chair, briefly introduced the speaker. In his opening remarks Mr Holland referred to the proposed electric scheme for the Wairarapa. He strongly advised that the proposed area should be as large as possible, as a small district could not afford to pay for a good electrical engineer. A good electrical engineer was absolutely necessary, if the work was to progress on sound lines. The Lake Coleridge plant, which served the needs of Christchurch at the present time was working above its capacity, said the speaker. The capital value of the Lake Coleridge scheme was some £400,000. The scheme had in the past been criticised, and the promoters had met with opposition. It was now recognised, however, that Lake Coleridge was not only an asset to the city of Christchurch, but was an asset to the whole of the Dominion. There has been alarming reports to the effect that at times the lake had fallen as much as sixteen feet. That was absolutely false. The only fall that the speaker had known was of two feet six inches. The Government supplied power to the Christchurch City Council and, the Tramways Board at a very fair rate. The purchasers bought the power in bulk. The power was used also to supply the city with an artesian water service, and some 2000 street lamps. Each lamp was not less than 100 candle power, and some, of course, were as powerful as 2000 candle power. Owing to certain restrictions practised by the City Council, the supply for the water service and street lamps cost practically nothing at all. The City Council had also erected an up-to-date garage, where vehicles of all kinds were charged with power at extremely moderate priceß. This business paid handsomely. The newspapers were also supplied with power at the absurdly low figure of one penny per six units. The whole scheme was practically self-supporting as far as. the Government was concerned. A considerable sum had already been set aside for depreciation. The charges made by the Council were ridiculously low, Baid the speaker, and he instanced the fact that the cost oi supplying three motors belonging to his own firm amounted to about 22s per month. Electricity was one of the best powers in the world, said Mr Holland. There was no smoke attached to it to make the city unpleasant to live in, which was indeed a great advantage. "Electricity cannot be put to a wrong use. It is the cheapest, best, and most satisfactory power on earth," stated the speaker. He- went on to say that the Christchurch City Council had also erected, an up-to-date showroom for the exhibition of its electric appliances. If a man was not in a position to have, his house connected with power, the Council supplied him, and the debt was paid off in monthly instalments. Dealing with the cost of electricity for domestic purposes, he said that in Christchurch 516 domestic consumers paid at the rate of 2s per month, 200 at 2s 6d, 620 at 3s, 540 at 4b, and so on. In concluding his remarks, Mr Hoi* land tendered some advice in connection with the Wairarapa Bcheme. Upon ? the election of the committee the district should be subdivided into blocks, and each block be again divided into sub-committees, for the purpose of a thorough canvass of the district. No business man would prepare to do business unless he knew that there was a market for his goods. It was exactly the same in a business of the kind proposed—the market should be ascertained. Electricity would work wonders with the dairy industry, so it was necessary to canvass the farmers. A farmer should sign an agreement for at least a three years' supply at £ls per annum. Since the power had been connected with the city of Christchurch many industries' had sprung up, and no doubt it would be the same in this district. He could not over estimate the many benefits from electricity. Upon resuming bis seat Mr Holland was very heartily applauded, and, on the motion of the Mayor (Mr W. H. Jackson), a vote of thanks was accorded him for his address.