MANGAHAO SCHEME.

Shannon News, 16 January 1923, Page 2

MANGAHAO SCHEME.

“NOW INTO THE LAST YEAR.”

RETICULATION AND IDLE CAPITAL.

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

“I found the works just getting under way again after the holiday break. The new power house, which is the first big work on the road, showed every sign of being pushed on, and should be ready well up to time. The surge chamber at the top of the hill is ready for concrete: lining, and concrete beds are now in ’for the pipe line. “Eleven hundred and eighty-one feet, of tunnelling lias been driven since my last visit, leaving 2029 f- yet to drive. The position of the tunnels is as follows:

“No. 1, inlet end, 2611 ft driven; outlet end, 224 ft driven; total, 4852 ft. “No. 2—lnlet end, 2479 ft driven; outlet end, 2520 ft driven; total, 4999 ft. “Total driven, 9851 ft. To be driven, 2029 ft.

“1 expected to find more progress made with the construction of the dams. At Mangahao a start 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. Fluming has been put in to take the present stream, and all should be in readiness to start concreting 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, much heavy rain has fallen (which is evident by the number of slips on the road), and other unavoidable causes of delay have occurred and these must be allowed for. But now we are into the last year and work is well started, I look forward to seeing more of that well-directed team work so necessary for success in any undertaking. In such a wet place it is necessary to push on during the long days and dry weather if all is to be ready by the end of the year. “When completed these works and the necessary plant, 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 for over three years, involving a very large capital outlay up to the present. It is essential that the works be made interest-earning at the earliest possible moment. Apart from the veiy 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 for power at the end of the year. If the power is not abailable on time these boards will be faced with the necessity of levying a rate to pay interest on their idle plant .and, overhead expenses while waiting for the power. This m.ay involve the power boards, or rather the ratepayers in the power board districts, in a considerable payment. Rates and taxes are now heavy, and the country can ill afford to pay interest on dead capital at the present time.x Every effort should, therefore 1 , 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 economy, and only by accelerating the works all round win the people have power at an early date and be saved large sums for interest on idle capital.”