TRANSPORT PROBLEM

Mt Benger Mail, 9 November 1938, Page 2

TRANSPORT PROBLEM

DELIVERY OF TRANSFORMERS

DIFFICULT TASK AHEAD The transporting of bulky generator parts, transformers and other weighty hydro-electric equipment over difficult country roads in New Zealand is one of the tasks undertaken from time to time by the Public Works Department. Weighing 14£ tons each, three transformers for the departmeent’s power plant at Waikaremoana were unloaded in Wellington from the liner Rangitiki today, but before they reach their ultimate destination they must be hauled for 30 miles over a road seriously damaged by the floods last April. The transformers were lifted from the ship’s hold by the floating crane Hikitea and will be transported by a coastal steamer from Wellington to Waikokopu, where the department has a steam crane capable of taking heavy lifts. From Waikokopu the equipment will be railed to Wairoa, but the last 30 miles to Waikaremoana is the most difficult task of all. Generator parts at present waiting at Wairoa and weighing more than 21 tons, however, will present an even greater difficulty. Because of the serious flooding which occurred in the Hawkes Bay district last April the road from Wairoa to Waikaremoana was so badly damaged that the department has not yet been able to move any heavy equipment from Wairoa. A trailer with a loading capacity of about 25 tons is available at Wairoa and will be towed to Waikaremoana, by either a steam traction engine or a Diesel tractor. When the road is in a satisfactory state a start will be made. About a mile before Waikaremoana there are no particularly heavy grades, but in places the road is very narrow and at no time will the speed be greater than four miles an hour. Each individual trip from Wairoa will take a long time to complete, and material required urgently will be moved first.