47

manufacture' of caustic soda either at Khewra or
at Rasul. In every case very great doubt was
expressed by th'e framer of the scheme that the
power generated would find a sufficient market,
for in each case it was to be enormous. More-
over it was more or less expressly stated that a
rotational system of working the canals would
be fatal to any hydro-electric scheme*

62. The first actual attempt to utilise water
power for industrial purposes was made by the
New Egerton Mills, Dhariwal, and so far this is
the only really large concern depending on water
power. The power generated has varied from
time to time, but recently the Mills acquired
a lease of the whole water in the canal. Accord-
ing to the experience of this firm the results
of the utilization of canal water power are dis-
appointing. The New Egerton Mills are, per-
haps,, somewhat unfortunately located, for the
canal at this point is subject to rotational work-
ing, and the employment of steam plant for
at least 18 weeks in the year is a necessity. The
rent paid for the water has risen from 5,000 per
annum to the present figure of Rs. 24,000, the
latter figure being however for all the wate? in
the canal.

68. The Idea of locating small hydro-electric

stations on canal falls to work batteries of tube

rwells]2was first propounded by Mr. Ashford,

Superintendent of the Central Workshops &