MANGAHAO HYDRO-ELECTRIC WORKS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2669, 8 December 1923, Page 2

MANGAHAO HYDRO-ELECTRIC WORKS.

INITIAL DIFFICULTIES OYER OOAIE.

Unless one visits Mnngahno it is impossible to realise the stupendous task which has confronted the engineers and workmen engaged in the gigantic struggle with nature in harnessing and controlling the Alangtihao river for the purpose of generating electricity. When this mysterious force is switched on in a few months time, which will,illuminate thousands of homes in towns and far hack homesteads, set the wheels of great industrial machines in motion and do a hundred and one other wonderful things in the process of evolution, how many will give a moment's consideration to the magnitude of the undertaking? The light and power as an accomplished fact will he commonplace. Such is human nature. A little torrent hack in the mountains, behind Shannon, midst a setting of forest, growth of unsurpassed beauty, is the primary factor in this great undertaking. Great dams have been constructed to hold millions of gallons of water. In the construction of these dams a great battle has been fought with nature. A by-pass tunnel had to be constructed through the solid rock to divert the flow of the river from the site of the dam. Accounts have been published of the almost superhuman dfficulties overcome in getting solid foundations for the bed of the dam to prevent soakage, the sweeping away in a few minutes by the flood waters of the torrent, months of toil and hundreds of pounds worth of material, the boring and completion of the big tunnel from Alangahao to Arapete, the great engineering feats accomplished at Arapete —the construction of the massive power house, the transportation difficulties and all the building details carried out in connection with this great State undertaking.

Members of the Horowhenua Power Board visited all the scenes of activity on Wednesday last, and despite the rain, spent a most interesting time. Much work has yet to be done before the juice is generated and three shifts are being worked at each locality. With line weather and the great- initial obstacles removed, it is possible that the Board will be able to supply consumers within six or seven months.