More Info →Borough of Shannon part 2

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Description: Manawatu about a mile west of Shannon. The Mangahao as a source of hydro-electric energy had long been known to Shannon residents; and as a result of constant and persistent agitation on the part of Mr. W. H. Gunning and one or two enthusiasts in the district, Mr. Hayes, one-time Government engineer, investigated the subject and submitted a report to the Government, from which it was gathered that a scheme to generate 3500 horse-power would cost £43,000, and by damming the two streams 9000 h.p. could be obtained at a cost of £80,000. If the two streams were connected 14,000 h.p. would be available at a cost of £120,000. This last-mentioned proposal would enable Palmerston North to participate. The flaxmills in the Shannon district assessed their probable requirements at 3000 h.p. However, nothing further has been done, and the scheme remains as one of the many to be pushed on with after the war. As far as it has gone Mr. Gunning, seems to have been the moving spirit. In conjunction with a former resident of Shannon, Mr. G. N. Engels, he has had various interviews with adjacent boroughs and Chambers of Commerce on the subject, and it is hoped that at no distant date the scheme will be an accomplished fact, and the town of Shannon and district will gain immensely in importance. >> continued in Part 3 <<