BORING FOR STEAM

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 3, 30 January 1952, Page 4

BORING FOR STEAM

We are privifeged to publish in this issue a letter from Mr J. N. Turnbull, Engineer-in-Charge of the Geo-Thermai I nvestigations at Wairakei in reference to the work now in progress. Keen pubiic interest has been evinced in this important undertaking, an interest enlivened at intervais by incidents at once spectacular and awe-inspiring. The latest of these has been duly recorded in our news columns. The magnitude of the shot no doubt would !ead the public to assurne too hastily that important developments were ripening. !t would be wel! at this stage, and in fairness to those engaged in the activities at Wa'rakei, to emphasises that the task at present in hand is simply an investigation of steam resources and possibilities. it is not, in a practical technologicah sense, a development. Before the development stage can be reached certain problematica! questions have to be settled. !n other words, the evidence of practicability must be strong enough to justify the heavy expenditure which would be required for the installation of the plant designed for harnessing the steam. As Mr Turnbull points out, the investigation has many facets. Civil and mining engineering, the sciences of geology, geo-physics, physics, and chemistry, are all represented in the personnel engaged. Each has its own special quota of evidence to gather and sift, and the value of the sum total will be proportionate to the weight of that evidence. It seems clear, therefore, that whiie the prospects at this stage would appear to be promising, there remains m'uch to be done before a final and definite pronouncement can be made. An official non-committal attitude perfectly correct and wise at this stage, does not necessarily imply uncertainty, but rather an unwillingness to express ooinions that might encourage the lay public to jump to conciusions during the tryingout period and a theory that is under test. It is not infrequently the case in all research work - and this is especially true of medical science — that embarassment has been caused by premature statements of an optimistic kind, result-

i ing later, in* disappointment and dissallusionment. Those of us who have watched with interest and feelings of anticipation the progress of the geothermal investigations at Wairakei will wish all concerned, including the Ministry of Works Staff, a successful conclusion to their arduous labours. Such an event, it need hardly be said, would mark a new and important phase in the generation of electricity in New Zealand, and rebound to the credit of those engaged in the investigation.