Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1919. THE MANGAHAO HYDROELECTRIC WORKS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2045, 23 October 1919, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1919. THE MANGAHAO HYDROELECTRIC WORKS.

WE believe the Public Works 'Department is making an honest endeavour to expedite the Mangahao hydro-electric scheme, and the preliminary work at the site is being pushed on as fast as circumstances will permit. The vigilance Committee is keeping in close touch with operations, and can be relied upon to keep the Department moving. The number of men employed ill recent weeks was as follows; Week ending 23rd August, 47: I3tli September, 42; 20th September, 43; 27th September, 49;'4th October, 4.0; 11th October, 34; ISIh October. 47. The Minister in a recent statement said the conditions were not what could he desired, but this was due to the extremely wot weather of the past six weeks, and the impossibility of getting limber to build hutments

and ;r ball for the men because of the railway cut. The timber would be there in a day or two. It was no use sending more men up till the roads were improved so that timber and necessaries could be carted there. He intended to establish two camps, and was starting a mill near the camp to Tut the timber required. He contradicted the statement made by the Labour candidate that 2,000 men had passed through-the works, the number was considerably under 200, They could not expect to keep all the men who went to the job, when the weather was so wet that on many days they could not get to work at all.' The Minister, in conclusion, pointed ,out that the money, voted last session was for preliminary work, reading, etc. When this was done they hoped to get on with the other part of the work more quickly, when Parliament had authorised it.