MANGAHAO VISITED

Shannon News, 20 January 1928, Page 2

MANGAHAO VISITED

Large and Representative Parly GREAT UNDERTAKING AT,MOST COMPLETE ________ ’* A visit to the Mangahno hydroelectric works was organised on Wednesday by their chairman of Manawatu Oroua'Power Board (Mr. J. A. Nash. M.P.), when a large and ropresentatm party was conveyed by motor to the power house at Mangaorc and after wards to the three dams. Those who made the trip were:—

ManawiMu-Oroua. Power Board: Messrs. J. A. Nash, M.P. (chairman). «T. Hudgens, .1. »S. Thigey, O. MeElvoy, F. W. Arbon, \V. A. * Waters (chid engineer), T. Donaldson (assistant en gi.iecr), K. Eglinton (secretary). Waiiganui-Eangitikei Power Board; Mcsssr. F. Purnell (chairman) and J Morrison. ’ \ Horowhenua Power Board: Mr. Smith (engineer). *

Dannevirke Power Board: Mr. Knight (engineer). Central Hawke’s Bay Power Board. Mr. Lee (engineer). Feilding Borough Council: Messrs E. Fair (Mayor), V. Smith, N. C. Harding (town clerk), Hay (•engineer). Fcilcting Chamber of Commerce: Messrs. H. Tolley and G. Fitzpatrick. Oroua County Council: Mr. Roy L. Harding (engineer).

Kairanga County Council: Messrs. Jos Batehclar (chairman), and J. Mon'zies (engineer). Foxt-on Borough Council: Mr. M.." K Pcrreau (Mayor). Shannon Borough. Council: Mj\ E. Butt (Mayor). Foxt.on Harbour Board: Mr. J. Link later, M.P. Others in. the party were Messrs.

Chalmers and Clayton, manager and inspector of the Bank of New Zeal ana respectively; and Mr. A. H. M. Wright. Apologies were received from Mr. A. E. Ransom, M.P. (chairman of tin

Dannevirke Power Board), Sir .Tame* Wilson, Messrs. P. J. Small, L. T

■■Maclean and IT. H. Hunt, M. A. Eliott and G. A. Monk (chairman o( the Horowhenua Powxsr Board. At Mangaore the visitors were mot by the chief engineer (Mr. L R. Rob inson) and his staff, and after a cup of morning tea were taken in partie.each under an expert. guide, over tin groat generating plant, which supplio.light, heat and power to th’e whole ,oi the Wellington province. Then a start was made for the new Mangahao dam, and there wero many exclamations of surprise as the occu pants of the cars passed the ArapcC darn, which has shrunk to the dimen sions of a mud pool. A splendid road now goes right up to the now dam, and the ride was a thriller through tire majestic- scenery and lovely bush..

■ Arrived at the top dam the parti made a careful inspection of ( the work which is no„w nearing completion, and all were impressed with the,magnitude Oif the undertaking. It w ( as staff'd that 37,500 cubic yards ‘•of' coiicret went into the dam wall, and it is an ticipatod that the catchment area vil extend for seven miles back into tin hills, holding over 106,000,000 cubit feet of water.

It was o satisfied and hungry path which did fail justice to a three emirs; lunch served in the men’s dining-roort; —a meal which -would -not have dis graced the chef of a city hotel, and many flattering remarks were passed on the fare'provided. After lunch Mr. Nash expressed pleasure on behalf of his board at s’oo ing so many present. Ho also thanked the chief engineer (Mr. Robinson) am ! his staff for making such complete ar rangements for their comfort. Ho hat watched the scheme almost from itinfancy and they had now seme idee, of the gigantic nature of the undertak ing. Mr. Nash referred to tine great difficulties under which, the engineer* were working owing to the water short age, and said all could see that day how serious the position had become.

Mr. J. Linklater M.P., also added a few words of welcome, mentioning that he had Icon connected with the scheme since, its inception. At first it was considered that there wou'd nol be sufficient outlet for tire power gen orated. Now it was the other way about and they had seen to-day how necessary the No. 3 dam was.

Messrs. P. Purnell, M. E. Pcrreau. S. Butt, J. Morrison, and E. Fair added a few words of appreciation and congratulation, and hearty applause with the singing of 1 ‘ For They Are Jolly Good Fellows ” greeted Mr. Robinson and his helpers when they rose to make their replies.

Mr. Robinson’s statement of the position is fully reported iu another column.