AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 591, 18 February 1929, Page 1

AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

WAIKAREMOANA’S POWER BIG AREA BEING SERVED Press , Association GISBORNE, To-day. Current from the Waikaremoana hydro-electric power station is now being used throughout a large portion of the North Island. Yesterday practically every district between Wairoa and Wellington was being served, while to-day it is expected that Gisborne will be connected with the new station. Making a statement to this effect the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, who, in company with the engineer-in-chief of the Public Works Department, Mr. F. W. Eurkert, made an examination of the scheme yesterday, expressed gratification that Waikaremoana. had commenced to function some months ahead of schedule, thereby considerably relieving the heavy demand upon Manga* hao. and being able to overcome the serious difficulty which had occurred at Gisborne through the breakdown of the local plant yesterday. Waikaremoana was developing IG,OOO kilowatts, and taking practically the whole load from Mangahao, thus making possible the conservation of the water supply there. Although it will not be possible to relieve-. Mangahao continuously, Waikaremoana will be utilised from now on for reducing the peak load on the Southern station, thus removing any anxiety which formerly existed. Steady progress is being made with the installation of the second generator at Waikaremoana, and it is anticipated that this will be in operation within the next two or three months, thereby providing more than ample current for all immediate requirements.