GEO-THERMAL STEAM

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 3, 30 January 1952, Page 1

GEO-THERMAL STEAM

J. N. TURNBULL,

THE WAIRAKEI BORES TO THE EDITOR Sir, — I wish to correct an impression which is prevalent in Taupo and also ciraw your attention *jto an inaceuracy in your latest edition of the "Taupo Times" in regard to the Geo-t'hermal Investigations at Wairakei. The investigation into the possibility of using Wairakei geo-therm- j al steam for the generation of electrie power has been earried out by the Ministry of Works under the control of the Project Engineer, Waikato Hydro-electric Development, Mangakino. Technical advice in regard. to drilling technique has been given by Mr McMillan, the Drilling Superintendent of the Mines^. Department, and in regard to certain scientific aspects by a team of geoIogists, geo-physicists, physicists, and chemists working under 'Mr J Healy, Superintendent Geo-logist, Geological Survey, Rotorua. A drilling rig has been hired from „ the Mines Department, and has been in use at Wairakei throughout the investigations, and two rigs belonging to the Department of iScientific and Industrial Research were also used during the early part of the investigation. These were in addition to three drillings rigs owned by the Ministry of Works, and two machines owned by Messrs Sinclair and Yates and one owned by Messrs Harrison and Shegudin, the latter three machines being used to drill k shot holes for the geop'hysical sur- • vey. The 1,500 foot hole, the o'pening. of which was excellently reported in your last edition, was not drilled by the Department of Scientic and Industrial Research, but was drilled by Ministry of Works employees working under Ministry of Works supervision. \ » I do not wish to be-little the work of the D.S.I.R. as these scientists have earried out excellent work, particularly in the development of higiitemperature measuring instruments, but in fairness to those Ministry of Works employees who have worked long dnd faithfully witl little thought of praise and publicity, but with an earnest desme to eorry out the investigation as quickly and thoroughly as possible, I wonld appreciate it, sir, if you could emphasise the fact that the work is being earried out by the Ministry of W orks. I would like to take this cpportunity to congratulate you and your colleagues on the enterprise shown in publishing your newspaper and also on the excellence of your first editions. — I am, etc.,

Engineer-iii-^harge, Wairakei Investigations.