MANGAHAO SCHEME

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2665, 29 November 1923, Page 2

MANGAHAO SCHEME

HYDRO-ELECTRICAL WORKS. MINISTERIAL VISIT. .. The fine weather prevailing late- * ly has enabled work in connection with the Mangahao hydro-electric scheme to be pushed on with a greater celerity than has formerly been possible. The progress (says the New Zealand Times) made during recent weeks has been very marked, bringing the big undertaking more within the prediction made by the Hon. Mr Coates (Minister for Public Works) that current would be available from Mangahao in June next. If the present fine weather spell lasts a little longer, it will secure some of the big jobs now under way at the works from interference from any storm that may afterwards occur; and there have been many that have made fheir effects severely felt since the scheme has been under way. Recently a start was made to concrete the floor of the Mangahao dam. Tin's work lias progressed steadily, and some very difficult engineering hurdles have been successfully cleared. The work is also going on merrily and rapidly at the power house. The men engaged on the building have now reached the roof level. The huge obstacles tlini have had to be overcome by the engineers and their staffs are considerable. On Friday a visit was paid in beautiful weather to the Mangahao works bv the Hon. Sir Francis Bell (Acting Prime Minister) and the lion. R. F. Bollard (Minister for Internal Affairs). The Ministerial party included Mi’s and Miss Bollard, Mrs Hunter and Mr L. Birks (head of the Government’s hydroelectrical department) and his as--i.-tanf (Mr F. T. M. Kissell). In company with Mr A. Dinnie (district engineer) and Mr A. Gavey (district electrical engineer), the visitors were shown over much of the works. “T have long waited an opportunity to see Mangahao,” said the Hon Mr Bollard, in conversation with a reporter, “The colossal nature of the work strikes one greatly. From what I saw in going over the comprehensive works with the engineers, the difficulties that engineering skill have evereome are very apparent; and the men working on the job seem to me to be deserving of high praise. When the undertaking has been completed, I should say that the Mangahao hydro-elec-trie works which are situated amid picturesque bush scenery, will he a great attraction to visitors from Wellington.”