THE MANGAHAO SCHEME

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 18 July 1919, Page 2

THE MANGAHAO SCHEME

WHAT IS BEING DONE. A “Standard" reporter, who was in Shannon recently, made some enquiries as to what progress was being made by the Public Works Department in connection with the pushing on with the Mangahao sthenic for the development of hydro-electricity. Several persons

who were seen on the matter seemed to think the work was proceeding too alowiy, and thought the Department should endeavour to increase its speed. A gentlemen whose business brings him into close touch with the work, and who has to make frequent visits to the scene of operations, stated that nothing whatever nad been done in the matter of improving the road to the depot at Apiti Creek, where the fret depot is situated. None of the bad comers had been reicowd. and as no metal has been put on the road tinea it was taken over from the Horowhenua County. Council by the Department, the “result is that the surface ii suffering badly from the

constant heavy traffic over it in the , transport of. stores, timber and IzTsp . pipes for v ork farther on, and as the , ranter advances matters will become | worse instead of better. The DepartIment has now between forty-five and fifty men on the work beyond this, cutting a road over the hill between the main dam in Apiti Creek and the second dam over which to transport the necessary material for the construction of the dams. Host of the work is being done by contract. Many men apply for work and go up to the spot, bat they do not remain there, as they say that the conditions are too bad for j them to live there. However, this : should soon be remedied now, as a substantial cookhouse ha* been provided, bat then m<m ask for something better than teats to live in tiering the present severe weather. There ha* also been - trouble about the Department guaranteeing the men's store accounts, but it U understood that L» now being got over. It is expected that as soon t* the tunnelling and concrete work is undertaken a better class of men may be expected to apply for employment, and as the work-will then be of a more permanent nature they may be expected to star. Material for a complete telephone service has been taken up, and when the line is laid this will lead to expedite the work. However, on the whole the people living jit the neighbourhood of Shannon are not too pleased wish the progress feeing made with the scheme, and they prophesy that m mare business-like methods are not adopted it will be many yew* before the sch ate becomes art accost- • piiahed fast