Items of Interest October 21, 1916 Issue

Items of Interest

Interest in hydro-electric development in the district around Grenoble, France, on the Isere, a brach of the Rhone, has been revived by the movement recently initiated by the Grenoble Chamber of Commerce to attract new industries. While other advantages and resources will be included, the hydro-electric possibilities are to be given chief prominence. The development of water-power along modern lines commenced here about 1860, and reached important proportions in 1900.

There are now in the department of Isere eleven important companies utilizing water-power in the manufacture of electrochemical and electrometallurgical products of various kinds. These companies own thirteen generating plants, which with enlargements in course of construction will give a normal output of 81,500 horse-power. This does not include numerous companies which have generating plants of less than 800 horse-power each. There are also ten industrial companies formed to utilize Alpine water-power and deliver it to consumers. This group owns eighteen generating plants representing a normal total of 88,830 horse-power, which is consumed within a radius of 125 miles. Seven generating plants which are now under construction will have an aggregate output of about 47,400 horsepower. Seven other projects with an estimated output of 98,000 horse-power are said to be on the eve of being constructed.

In the province of New Brunswick, Canada, the question of the conservation of natural resources is now receiving the earnest, practical attention of the Government. In years past timber cutting was carried on with little regard to the serious ultimate consequence of indiscriminate destruction of the trees, and the revenues of the province probably suffered much through lack of efficient supervision. The provincial forestry service is actively at work and is making a thorough study of all problems associated with the proper and profitable employment of crown lands. The value of New Brunswick's forest products is estimated officially at $12,000,000, and the yield in revenue to the provinces is more than five hundred thousand dollars annually. Lumbering ranks next to agriculture in importance as an industry, giving directly or indirectly employment to a large portion of the population, and paying more than six million dollars every year in wages alone to the men directly employed in logging and the manufacture of wood products.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Items of Interest

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access