Maraetai II Progress ‘Better Than Expected’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31115, 19 July 1966, Page 15

Maraetai II Progress ‘Better Than Expected’

(Kev> Zealand Preu Auoeiation) WELLINGTON, July 18. Work on Maraetai II was going “rather better” than expected when completion of the project was authorised last October, the Minister of Works (Mr Allen) said today.

This was mainly because progress on Matahina was a few months ahead of last year’s schedule, and workmen from there had been available for transfer to other jobs, he said. “This is all tn the good and it is expected that power from Matahina will be fed into the grid before the end of this year," said Mr Allen. Surplus houses from Matahina have been transferred to Mangakino to replace the old accommodation. At the Maraetai H site the work of restoring the coffer dam breached by the flood of December, 1962. was nearing completion, and was proving to be a good deal less difficult and expensive than expected, said Mr Allen. “Of course it was expected there would be some deterioration of the site works when it was decided in 1961 to defer their completion. “During the tapering off period of six months, work was continued with the objective of preserving the assets and minimising the cost of restoration that would be required when the growth In demand for peak power justified completion of Maraetai 11. ‘‘Other works and services which have to be restored, ready for a full effort in about two months time include making good the concrete batching plant, the electrical services, air and water pipes, removing silt from the foundations and restoring the site offices, stores and crib huts. “It is deplorable that one of the jobs we have to do, and one which could hardly have been expected, is to repair damage caused by vandals who have smashed win-

dows and doors of some of the site buildings and defaced or destroyed their fittings,” said Mr Allen. He said the main buildings were fenced off from the public and all the works were inspected every week. "The cost of a round-the-clock watch would have been unjustifiable.” The cost of restoring all site works into good going condition is expected tn be between £lOO,OOO and £120,000. “Had we not taken the precaution to complete the concrete work for the powerhouse and the lower levels of the penstocks this would have

amounted to a good deal more.” As It Ib, the job was In “pretty good shape" and if all Went well the estimate of between £300,000 and £400,000, already given by the Minister of Electricity (Mr Shand) as the cost of stopping and restarting the project, might be bettered. Mr Allen said the figure took into account housing, amenities and services in Mangakino township. “Certainly it will be very much less than the saving of interest on the capital which has not been expended over the intervening yesrs.”