WORK AT ARAPUNI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4037, 4 January 1930, Page 1

WORK AT ARAPUNI.

TWO MORE TUNNELS PIERCED.

Good progress is being' made with the work, at Arapuni. Two of the penstock tunnels under construction. south of the present powerhouse have been pierced and workmen are engaged in widening the tunnels in preparation for the steel lining. A contract has been •let for the lining of these tunnels and the work of assembling tlie parts is in hand. A third tunnel will be pierced early in January. The third unit in the powerhouse is now in position, and the drying out process, preparatory to linking the turbine up with the main scheme will be commenced next month. Authority has been received for the construction of an auxiliary power-house between the present plant and the additional, (powerhouse accommodation to be erected later. The auxiliary plant, will he used for supplying power for local purposes at the works and will be independent of the main scheme. It will consist of two small turbines and generators operated with •water supplied from a 2ft. bin. conduit running in the same direction as the main penstocks. A start will be made with the construction of the auxiliary plant early in the New Year. In order to test the machinery operating the gates in the diversion tunnel at the dam, the gatos will he partially open during the next few days.