MANGAHAO ELECTRIC SCHEME

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 7, 3 October 1919, Page 8

MANGAHAO ELECTRIC SCHEME

REPORT OF VIGILANCE COMMITTEE Tho Vigilance -Committee set up in connection with the Mangahao hydroelectric power scheme reported, to tho City Council last ovening as follows:— ; "Up to the present, contracts have been let for formation of road to the top of the ridge leading to tho Mangahao darn, a. distanco of approximately fivo miles. Of this a portion is completed, and tho rest is well . und#r way. At the present 43 men are employed on tho work independent of tho engineering staff. The contracts for the remainder of the road to the dam in the Mangahao Valley are ready to let, and a second permanent camp is being erected, and 20 more men are to start 011 balance of road work. The winter season in the mountains has led to considerable loss of time, and the cartins: in has considerably damaged the road already existing bctwoen the Manawatu Plain and tho T'okomaru Valley. This constitutes tho whole of the work actually done on the undertaking. "A considerable umount of preparatory work has been done by the engineering staff. Contracts have been let for supply of stoam-driven electrical plant, for working air compressors for driving the tunnels, but .{big plant has to come from England, it • being impossible to procure it in the Dominion or Australia. Further steps are bfing taken to immediately saw timber required for housing and frames on tho ground adjoining the Mangahao dam, •and this we hope will soon bb on the way. "Your Vigilance Committee is not satisfied with tho rate at which the work isbeing carried out, and is taking steps to bring its views ljeforo tho Minister of Public Works. We trust that" the mem-' bers of tho leaguo will assist us by bringing before tlioir local M.P.'s the need oj: 1. Getting the whole of the money required for tho carrying out of tho work of completion voted this session. 2. Pressing for the establishment of b. non-political Board of Construction, as set out in Mr. Parry's report ot 1918, charged with the duty of wnsfcructin'g the' installation with as littlo delay as possible. "Wo feel that if the same methods aro allowed as havo been the invariable practice with railway construction, we shall 600 six or seven schemes started and al-. _lowed to proceed leisurely, with none com"pleted for yeai-s to come. Mr. Parry stated Tepcatedly that, given a freo haritt, tho 1 schemo could be completed within four years from the time tho preliminary works were started. At the present rate it will take ten. We consider this should Be altered and'tlw time should bo adhered to as setout by one of the most competent engineers New Zea- |' land oyer possessed."