Chapter XX.
The water powers of Canterbury—The visit of T.R.H. the Duke and Duchess of York—Electric tramways—Greater Christchurch—High pressure water-supply.
A great meeting was held in the newly-built Canterbury Hall on January 28, 1901, to promote a proposal to “harness the Waimakariri” as a source of power and light. In an earlier chapter it has been told how in the sixties that river was looked upon as a turbulent and dangerous neighbour, endeavouring to usurp the channel of the Avon for the invasion of Christchurch. Since then the name Waimakariri had changed its significance to Christchurch ears, and hike that “blessed word Mesopetamia,” brought visions of hope and brightness. There was something very attractive in the idea of procuring an unceasing supply of power, heat and light direct from one of Nature's power houses.
The main difficulty—and it applied to all the snow rivers of Canterbury—was the travelling shingle which threatened to descend like an avalanche and swamp any dam and head works which might be constructed. The Christchurch City Council set up a committee to collect information, and unsuccessfully endeavoured to engage a Swiss engineer, Colonel Turretini, to come out and advise. It was said that at the great electrical works at Geneva, the travelling shingle problem also existed, and had been overcome. In the year 1902, the City Council promoted a Bill to enable it to obtain power from the gorge of the Waimakariri, but for reasons which need not be related, it was not proceeded with.
