ARAPUNI TRIUMPHS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 679, 3 June 1929, Page 10

ARAPUNI TRIUMPHS

SUCCESSFUL TEST HEU) LAST EVENING AUCKLAND HOMES LIGHTED It was a notable moment for the electrical engineering staff, of the Arapuni and Auckland power stations when, at 11 o’clock last evening, the first current from the greatest hydro-electric scheme in the Dominion was brought to Auckland. For 20 minutes it lighted suburban homes. VVITH the unostentatious closing of " a switch in the Penrose substation came the culmination of fire years of hopes, disappointments and constant battling against a successio: of engineering difficulties. No ceremony marked the coming of Arapuni: first power supply. Just the click of the switch, a green light flashing w red and Remuera, Oneliunga, Epson One Tree Hill, St. Heliers Bay ant Kohimarania warmed chilly toes or read in bed.with heat or light gene: ated not from King's Wharf steam, but from Waikato water.

The power is conducted from Arapuni to Penrose on three circuits # miles long, swinging over hill and ra ley, across desolate country and ncafarms, over rivers and railway. Tv of these circuits are carried on towers and the third on wooden pole: For three weeks the lines have beeundergoing a “livening-up” with power from Horahora. The In» were later made alive with a test • 125,000 volts and this was suWquently reduced to 110,000 volts, unormal pressure. _ After the power had reached rerose it was broken down to 22,001 v and sent to King’s Wharf. was further reduced to 6.600 volts • distribution to the suburbs whicn perieneed the test.

NO HITCH ANYWHERE Engineers at Penrose JJ direct telephonic communication ■■ the staff at Arapuni. and observation were exchanged about the proff®; of the test. There was no hitch." after 20 minutes Arapuni was off and King's Wharf took U P running again. . Another trial will be carried o - 4 o’clock this afternoon, and P os this evening. - e; The unit now ready to.suppo P" " has a capacity of 15,000 hnO" ■ and is one of three which are ekP* c to be ready before the end 01 ' year. A grant has been for the provision of a fourth. 8 . in all an output of 60,000 kw. the six generators provided >n f original planning of Arapuni are - stalled, the supply will reach 3 ■ kw. jjg Each turbine and generator* , 250 tons, the turbine weighing tons, and the dynamo portion balance. The shafts coupling rotor (the “water-wheel”) dynamo proper is 20in. in “ iaßl These tremendous parts whirl at revolutions a minute. , As a result of the coming “ ' 14 months’ overdue current puni, the Auckland Board will be enabled to of the King’s Wharf steam P”", This will affect 33 men w“°Jw there. and when Arapuni through in full capacity 46 ®® n probably have to be dispensed ... The board is doing everything power to find employment tor men, and will endeavour to K them elsewhere.