DARTMOUTH LAKES POWER. — DOAXE. 27 



Cheapness of power has long ago been demonstrated for the 

 hydro-electric plant and transmission line; reliability is now 

 being proved. The duplicate line has already become a'.i estab- 

 lished factor in the system, and attention has been turned to the 

 duplicate plant as well. The advantages of the duplicate source 

 will be the next study. 



ISTot only is the unreliability in the supply of coal aiding in 

 the development of hydro-electric projects, but the price also is 

 exercising a great influence. We do not have to go far afield to 

 hear tales of scarcity of fuel and closed plants in consequence of 

 strikes, car famine, etc., and every consumer of coal knoAvs that 

 there has been a permanent increase of about 50 per cent, in tlie 

 cost. This price will not be reduced, but in all probability will 

 continue to advance, so that it may be claimed that the hydro- 

 electric plant, which will begin by paying expenses, must neces- 

 sarily become a source of profit in the near future. 



Water Poiver of the Dartmouth Lakes. 



The nearest water power to the city of Halifax is that ovVned 

 by the Starr Manufacturing Company, in Dartmouth. Until 

 veiy recently this power was not controlled entirely by one 

 company. By the amalgamation of the Starr Company and the 

 Dartmouth Rolling Mills Compa'ny, the whole water power 

 becomes the property of the new company, and it is now possible 

 to develop it to its full capacity. 



The drainage area from which this powder is obtained 

 includes the watershed and water surface of five lakes. Begin- 

 ning at a divide a short distance south of Cra'nberry Lake, which 

 lies on the south side of the Preston Road, about three and one- 

 half miles east of Dartmouth, the surface slopes northwardly 

 and westwardly. Cranberry Lake empties by a stream about 

 one-third of a mile in length, crossing the Preston Road into 

 Lake Loon, which in turn drains into Lake Charles, about one 

 mile and one-half westwardly as the crow flies. From Lake 



