MANGAHAO' PROGRESS.

Shannon News, 18 August 1922, Page 2

MANGAHAO' PROGRESS.

TUNNELS THROUGH NEXT YEAR

DAMS, THE DECIDING FACTOR

A gratifying report regarding the progress of the Mangahao hydro-elec-tric scheme is ! made by Mr G. Mitchell, M.P., who paid a visit of inspection to the works on Monddy. In his report, Mr Mitchell states:—

“No' 1 inlet has been pierced to a distance of 1914 ft, and at the outlet end 1670 ft has been bored, making a total of 3584 ft. The length of this tunnel is 5280 ft, thus leaving 169f>i't yet to be pierced. The monthly average is about 285 ft. It will, therefore, take about six months to complete the excavation of this tunnel. No. 2 tun nel is in 2044 ft, and thei out 1463 ft, a total of 3507 ft driven out of 660(Mt, leaving 3093 ft yet to be pierced. .The tunnel is being worked from four faces, and at the average rate of progress, this tunnel will he through in eight months. The by-pass tunnei at the Mangahao end is through, and is now. being lined with concrete. Much concrete lining has already been done, and the rest will follow closely on the sunnellers.’

“No jWork has taken place at No. 2 inlet since the unfortunate accident, but machinery is now being installed io work tiie pumps by electricity, and it is hoped that a start will J?e made in this tunnel in about, two weeks. It will be seen, therefore, that the tunnels will be through early next year. “At No. 1 dam a good dedl more excavation than was at first antici-. pated has been necessary to> gel to a satisfactory foundation, but it is expected that this will be completed and the construction of the dam commenced in November. No. 2 dam: Unfortunately the excavations required for this dam. are; also much more extensive and more difficult than was at first anticipated, and when people realise that there will be over 10,000 yards of concrete in each pi these two darns, they will have st&me idea of their size. But, with all the difficulties, there is no reason to anticipate delay.

“Good progress'is being made with the power-house. The outer walls are now about) ten feet above ground. The excavation of the surge chamber is almost completed. Some of the 360 men now employed are laying the ned !or the pipe line, sinking the shaft over No. 2 tunnel inlet, and on many other works connected with the works, so thati all may be in readiness at the end of next year. / “The largest number of men (360) yet employed are now on the. works, and, barring unforeseen happenings and delays, I see no reason to doubt\ the Department’s ability to fulfil the / promise made by the Minister that the' works should be completed by December, 1923. While there is no reason to anticipate any happenings which would cause delay, there are always so many possibilities connected with a big work of this nature. If, for instance, during the initial stages of construction of No. 1 dam, a flood occurred in the Mangahao, which it was beyond the capacity of the by-pass tunnel to cope with, many months of labour might be swept away. These are possible happenings wihich it. is beyond human power to prevent and must be reckoned with.

“We may expect a move to be made 1 shortly with the construction of the; transmission line, as this work alsomust be pushed on.”

Farmers in this district are greatly ; interested in the pay-outs of other cooperative dairy companies. The following from Taranaki exchanges may therefore be, of interest: Moa Farmers’ Co., Inglewood, 1/3 3-10 d; Patua (between New Plymouth and Opunake), 14d to 14£d (indefinite); Omata (near New Plymouth), 1/4; Kaupukonui, 1/6; Stratford, 1/2J. As is wellknown, Kaupokonui is one of the largest' factories in Taranaki, while the' others stated are small concerns. The figures quoted are held to be confirmation of the fact that big concerns pay out better totals than the smaller companies.