THE MANGAHAO ENTERPRISE.

Shannon News, 12 September 1922, Page 2

THE MANGAHAO ENTERPRISE.

MINISTER ON ITS PROGRESS

Speaking during --the inspection of the Mangahao works by the Parliamentary party on Monday, the Minister for Public Works said there had been quite a number of people criticising what was going on at the works—but criticism was good. Everybody seemed to know lar more about the undertaking than Mr Dinnie, the chief engineer. Touching on another point, the Minister stated:—

“There are unavoidable delays, and we do get them. Any loss of time which takes place now and in the future we cannot catch up. We have people saying that the job will not be ready till 1925—we11, let them keep on talking. It is not worth

while answering them.” In this connection Mr Coates referred to the many questions asked in the House of Representatives, and, continuing, said that the members of tilie party had had that day an opportunity of seeing one or two of the difficulties which confronted those in charge of the work, -especially with regard to the foundation lor the dams.

At Arapeti, for instance, in place of hard rock the engineers were striking soft spoil, and although they had made boYes to a considerable depth they had not yet reached the solid base required. ORIGINAL ESTIMATES OUT.

“This is,” he commented, “ a singular case in this particular job, in which the griginal estimates have been completely thrown out, because the surveys (made previously) did not reveal what was underground. All this means extra cost and extra time. We cannot avoid it. Those who go down to Mangahao to-day will see something there, too, but not to the same extent.”

Continuing, the Minister said that the prospects were quite encouraging, and alluding to the question as to whether the scheme would be completed to time, he remarked: — “All I can say is that, if it is pos-

sible, it is in the hands of the men who can do it. I would tell you much more accurately if you could - tell us where the rock is at the bottom of the foundation for this dam.”

Later, the Minister, after referring to other phases of the scheme, concluded by stating that the indications were that it would be finished by the end of 1923. He reiterated, however, that it was important *to remember

there was always in an undertaking of this nature the contingency of unforeseen and unavoidable delays, such as had already been experienced.