MANGAHAO HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER LEAGUE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2237, 10 February 1921, Page 3

MANGAHAO HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER LEAGUE.

The following report, dated Palmerston North, sth February, 1021, has been issued by the above League: — In reporting again on the progress of the works at Mangahao, I am pleased to be able to congratulate the Minister for Public Works on the energy and interest he is displaying in the prosecution of hydroelectric development. It is, indeed, a pleasant change from (he apparent apathy displayed till within the last few years, and the League may feel a justifiable satisfaction at the share it has had in the attainment of such a long “desired aim. The works at Mangahao are proceeding satisfactorily-and steadih. II is unfortunate that delay is still being experienced in the arrival of the generators for the temporary power house, and this 1 is in some measure retarding progress. Test holes at the site of the Mangahao darn have also shown the detritus rook goes to a greater depth than was,suspected, (bus causing an alteration in design, and will add somewhat to the expense. Below is given a resume of the various works in more detail: —

Labour. —Approximately 250 men ure now employed. Labour is fairly plentiful, and conditions of work and wages seem quite satisfactory. Buildings. —Further progress has been made in housing the staff at the little township at the foot of the hills. The offices at the power house site are also completed, and tiie staff are occupying same. A considerable amount of progress has been made with cook houses, etc., for the men at the Tokomaru camp. Before winter all necessary buildings should be completed. Shannon camp. —The temporary power house is now completed. Boiler and engine arc installed, and all machinery other than generators are ready. The generators are -till delayed, and it is to he hoped I hey will soon he to hand, otherwise the matter will he more serious. Tlu< transmission here from the power house to •Tokomaru Valley is approaching completion, the poles being in position over the ridge. Everything is ready for laying the pipe line from the compressors to the adits on the Arapeti tunnel. .Tokomaru Cum]). —A si art has been made with the Arapeti tunnel from this end,- the excavating being done by hand pending the supplv of electric power, Progress is being made with the site for the compressors, a -tart is also to be made at this end of the Mangahao tunnel, hut again progress must lie slow till hand drilling can he superseded by electric drills.

Mangahao Valley.- — Machinery for driving the compressors is in position and erected. Compressors are also fixed and everything here i., ready for a start at once on the Mangahao tunnel. Tenders have been .called for drilling at (his end, as it is considered advisable this work should be let by eoniract. Further tests at the site of the dam show that the gravel and detritus are a deeper deposit than was suspected, but while this may add somewhat to the cost and to the lime necessary to complete, tluma iter is not regarded as a serious one; the rock walls at the side ot the gorge have proved to he quite sound.

Transmission lines. — A large number of the necessary poles for this work have been procured, and are stored in depots at various joints.

One of the chief difficulties electric hoards will be faced with will he the difficulty of providing the neeessarv poles, and members of the League would be well advised to face the position without delay. In connection with this, it would he well if some means could he found to pool the buying requirements of the various boards, and so prevent the competition for supplies, which otherwise will probably lead to considerably enhanced costs. Nothing can be done in Ibis matter until the whole of the Power Boards arc set up, but it would be well if, as soon as possible, a conference of boards could be held and this and other matters of common interest fully discussed.—E. 11. Grubb, president; W. McKenzie, secretary.