ELECTRIC POWER AT APIA

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 61, 6 December 1926, Page 10

ELECTRIC POWER AT APIA

TENDERS IN NEW ZEA. LAND Dominion Special. Auckland, December 4. Arrangements have been completed for the installation of the hydro-elec-tric power scheme at Apia, and tenders for the plant are being called in New Zealand. They will close next week. Details of the scheme were given this morning by Mr. J. G. Meidecke, civil engineer, of Apia, who returned to Auckland yesterday after a visit of inspection to Arapuui. He said it was intended to harness Vaisigano stream, which flowed from mountains in the interior of the island for a distance of about five miles to the coast. The amount of fall from the proposed headworks to the site of the powerhouse, which would be erected at Magigi, was 1110 feet, and in the initial stages 100 k.w. would be generated. Provision was being made for a considerable development later on, and plant that was being ordered would have a generating capacity of -2200 k.w. The power would be utilised chiefly in the town of Apia, but there would also be a demand from various native villages, where it was expected that small lighting plants would be set up. The scheme would be confined to the island of Upolu, as it would be impracticable to lay a cable across the strait to the adjoining island of Savaii, as the cost would be too great. He said that it was the second power scheme in the South Pacific, as there was already a power scheme at Pago Pago, the headquarters in the group for the American Navy.

Mr. Meidecke said that the total cost of harnessing. Che Vasigano stream and necessarv equipment would be £15,000. It was proposed to sell power at 9d. a unit for lighting, and 6d. per unit for power. There would also be a reduced charge for cooking purposes. Recently a complete survey was made of Upolu Island, in order to ascertain the possibilities of developing hydro-electric power, and it was found that, in addition to Lanotoo Lake, there were a number of mountain streams which could be brought in should occasion arise. Lanoloo Lake is a sheet of water three miles in circumference, a beautiful crater lake., amid a wonderful setting of tropical vegetation. For many years it has been one of the principal attractions for visitors to Apia.