MANGAHAO WORKS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 227, 20 June 1921, Page 6

MANGAHAO WORKS

INSPECTED BY THE MINISTER

GOOD PROGRESS BEING MADE

The Minister of Public Works (Hon, J. G. Coates) paid a visit to the hydroelectric works at Mangahao on Friday last and made a thorough inspection. He returned to Wellington on Saturday morning. Ho was accompanied to Mangahao by representatives of the Y.M.C.A., who assisted in the formal opening of the new Y'.M.C.A. hall, erected for the use of the workers engaged on the big undertaking. Thd hall, which is taking the place of a largo tent formerly used by tho Y.M.C.A. at Mangahao, is an important addition to the provision that has 'been made for the comfort of the men. It is a fairly large building, of the type that was familiar in the training camps during the war. There is a big social room, where the men can entertain themselves or listen to music or lectures, and there are also facilities for reading and writing. A Y.M.C.A. officer is in charge. ■When opening the hall the Minister expressed his appreciation of the work that had been done by the Y.M.C.A at tho works. Ho said that the Public Works Department had been very glad to have the assistance of the organisation in making provision for the comfort of the employees, and ho felt sure that the hall would be used frequently and would be a great boon during the winter months. He added that he was pleased with the progress that was being made in all branches of the work, lhe Government wished to get the job completed without unnecessary delay, and it also wanted to make the conditions as pleasant as possible for the. employees. He felt sure they all recognised that a groat deal had 'been done to improve matters since the early days of the undertaking. , After inspecting the works, including the tunnels and the dams, the Munster said that he saw no reason why power from Mangahao should not become available in 1923, in accordance with the scheme that had been laid down last year. The months immediately ahead were not the best for an undertainng of this nature, involving a great deal ot work in the open air. But tne driving of the tunnels would not be interfered with, and as far as he could see the work as a whole was proceeding according to schedule. Capable gangs were cutting the tunnels, and the arrangements that had been made for supplying then with power were proving satisfactory. The rock from the tunnels was expected to supply a good deal of the material required for the construction of tho dams. The pipe-line and the power station would be ready when the completion of the dams and the tunnels had made the water available, unless some unexpected delay occurred. The engineers and the staff were doing their part well.