HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4881, 23 September 1925, Page 2

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

HORAHORA AND ARAPUNI WORKS EXTENT OF DEVELOPMENT. Commenting on the hydro-electric developments, in the Public Works Department Estimates it is stated that the department has had a successful year, given satisfactory service to consumers, and had been able to make a profit after paying all operating and capital charges. Dealing with the Horahora scheme the report states:— “An expenditure of £48,156 has been made on extensions to this scheme during the year. The additions to the power-house and headrace have been completed, and.the two new 2000-kilowatt units put into operation. A considerable amount o’ work has been done on building a new weir across the river above the head-gates, and on the installation of gates to control the flow of water into the power-station. There has been some delay z in the delivery of these gates, and further delays have been caused by heavy floods which occurred in the river during May and June. A. start hats been made with the erection of a '50,000-volt line between Waikino and Katikati, to connect the Horahora system with the Tauranga Borough plant at McLaren s Falls.

In connection with the Arapuni scheme it is stated :—

“The contractors for the headworks and plant, Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth, and Co., Ltd., have made an active start on the work under their contract. They have erected complete camps for their staff and workmen adjacent to the dam and powerhouse, and at the quarry site some miles farther up the river. Considerable progress has been made witn the excavation of the tunnel required to divert the river during construction of the dam, with the excavation at the powerhouse site, in the headrace, at the intake gate wall and weir, and on the above water excavation at the main dam. The construction of an aerial ropeway to bring in stone from the quarry is under way. The high river levels and floods which occurred in May and June have delayed work in the diversion tunnel to some extent. The department’s own staff has completed the formation and preliminary metalling of the access roads, and has built bridges over the Waikato River and the headrace channel, and commenced formation work on the Waotu-Arapuni Road deviation.

“As it is most important that much load ais passible shall be available for the Arapuni station as soon as it is completed, a considerable amount of survey and construction work has been done on transmission lines.

■ “The construction of one main 110,000-volt line hsa been completed from Hamilton to Auckland, and this will be operated meanwhile from Horahora to give a supply of 2000 k'v.a. to the Auckland Power Board. The survey has been completed, and construction ijs in hand of a 50,000volt line from Arapuni to Rotorua. When completed this will be operated from Horahora until Arapuni is available. An extension of the Te Awamutu 50,000-volt line is under construction to Hangatiki, to give supply to the Waitomo Power Board. Surveys are in hand for a line connecting Waikino and Bombay, across the Hauraki Plains, and also for' the additional main 110,000-volt lines between Arapuni and Auckland. “A portion of the maih sub-station at Penrose to give supply to the Auckland Power Board hhs been built, and the plant necessary to give tempor- , ary supply from Horahora has been installed. Plant is also on order ,to give supply to the Franklin Power , Board.” • '