MANGAHAO SCHEME.

Otaki Mail, 17 January 1923, Page 2

MANGAHAO SCHEME.

NOW INTO THE LAST VLAH

RETICULATION AND IDLL CAPITAL

A visit of inspection was paid by Mr C Mitchell, secretary of the Central Progress League, lo the Mangabao hydro-electric, works on Wednesday. In his report to the League Mr Mitchell states:—

"1 found tiie works just, gelling under way again alter Die holiday break. The new power hou.se. which is the hist big work on the road, showed .every sign of being pushed on, and should he ready well up to lime. The surge chamber at the lop of the hill is ready lor concrete lining, and concrete beds aie now m 'lor the pipe line.

•Eleven hundred and eighty-one feet of tunnelling has been din en since my last visit, leaving 202<Jtx. yet to drive. The position ol the tunnels i- as follows: -

"No. I, inlet end, L'6llit driven; out i end, ■iiiti driven; lota!, 4852 ft.

-No. 2-lnlel end, 2i7'j;t driven; uii! lei end, 25-2011 driven; total, 1999 ft. ■'Total driven, ygsut, To be driven

•I expected to find more progress made with the construction of the dams At Ma-iigahuo a stall has been made putting in the concrete, and one concrete-mixed is at work. At Arapeti a satisfactory bottom has been found and the excavations are being completed. Pluming ha.- been put in 10 take the present stream, and all should he in readiness to start, eon-'■-.'."-•itug in about three weeks time.

"Viewing the works generally, i am a little disappointed with the progress made since my last visit. The holidays have certainly intervened, mu-.h heavy rain has fallen (which is evident by ;he number oi slips on the road,, and other unavoidable causes of delay have occurred and these must be allowed lor. Bui %ow we are into Hie las', year and work i» well started, f look lorward to seeing moie ol that well-directed teuai work so necessary for success m any jndertaking. In such a wet place it is necessary to push on during the long days and dry weather if ail is to he ready .by the end ol tiie year.

'When completed these work- and the necessary plan;, together with the transmission lines, will cost a very large sum, much more than the people have any idea of. The construction has been going on lor over three years

involving a very iarge apitaJ outlay up to the present. It is essential that tha works be made interest-earning at the earliest possible moment. Apart from the very large sum expended by the Government on works and plant, there is an even greater sum .spent, or to be expended, by the various power boards. The more businesslike and pushing boards are preparing lor power at the end ol 'he year. II the power is not available on time these boards will be raced with the necessity oi levying a rate to pay interest on their idle plant and overhead expenses while wailing lor trie power. This may involve the power boards, or rather gje ratepayers in tile power board districts, in a considerable payment. Hate.-, and taxes are now heavy, and the country can ill afford to pay interest on dead capital at the present time. Every effort should, therefore, be made to expedite both the works at Mangahao, the transmission lines, and the reticulation work by the power' boards. Where such a large outlay is involved, time is the essence of j economy, and only by accelerating the works all round will trie people have j power at an early date and be saved : large sums for interest on idle capi- j tal."