OFFICIAL INSPECTION OF MANGAHAO.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3743, 19 January 1928, Page 2

OFFICIAL INSPECTION OF MANGAHAO.

'BY LARGE" AND REPRESENTATIVE PARTY.

A visit to. the Mangahao hydroelectric works was organised yesterday by the chairman of the Man-awatu-Oroua Power Board (Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P.), when a large and representative party was conveyed by motor to the power house at Mangaoro and afterwards to the three dams. Those who made the trip were representatives of the Manawatu- Oroua, Wanganni-Ran-gitikei, Horowhenua, Dannevirke, and Central Hawke’s Bay Power Boards, Feilding Borough Council and Chamber of Commerce, Oroua and Kairanga County Councils, Shannon Borough Council and Messrs Chalmers and Clayton, manager and inspector of the Bank of New Zealand respectively; and Mr. A. H. M. Wright. Mr. J. Linklater, M.P., (chairman) represented the Foxton Harbour Board and Mr. M. E. Perreau (Mayor), the Borough of Foxton.

Mr. Linklater informed our representative that the weather was ideal for the visit. At Mangaorc the visitors were met by the chief engineer (Mr. I. R. Robinson) and his staff, and after a cup of morning tea were taken in parties, each under an expert guide, over the great generating plant which supplies light, heat and power to the whole of the Wellington province.

The party then proceeded to the Mangahao and all were very impressed at the remarkable lowness of the Arapeti dam. ,'From there the party proceeded to the new No. 3 dam, which, although completed is not filled. They were informed that 37,500 cubic yards of concrete went into the dam wall, and ii is anticipated that the catchment area will extend for seven miles back into the hills, holding over 166,000,000 cubic feet of water.

■ At the conclusion of the tour of inspection the visitors were entertained to luncheon at the cookhouse where an excellent dinner Avas provided. Mr. J. A. Nash expressed pleasure at seeing so many present on the occasion of the official visit and thanked Mr. Robinson and his staff for tilt excellent arrangements made for the occasion.

Mr. J. Linklater, M.P., also extended a welcome to the visitors and remarked that he had been connected with the scheme since its inception. At first it Avas considered that there Avould not be sufficient outlet for the power generated. Now it was the other way about and they had seen to-day lioav necessary the No. 3 dam, was.

Mr Pen'eau and others expressed appreciation and congratulation. In conversation Avith our representative, Mr. Linklater said that once rain Avas experienced on the hills and No. 3 dam filled there avould be little cause for Avorry. The Waikaremoana scheme Avould be eampleted in October,of this year, and Avhen the two schemes were linked up everything would he quite all right. At present, however, they were praying for rain on the hills and until that came it was very necessary for everyone to conserve the power as much as possible.