Geo-Thermal Steam

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 15, 23 April 1952, Page 4

Geo-Thermal Steam

At the risk of precipitating an epidemic of boring for steam all over Taupo, the Times in the news columns of this issue publishes an account of the application of geo-thermal heating by the licensee of the 5pa Hotel, Mr Birnie, As will be noted, there is no intention in his case of embarking upon a geo-ther-mal scheme for the supply of electricity. The discovery of the steam was accidental, but its possibilities for the supply of hot water for central heating was immediately recognised, and successfully harnessed, with the results detailed in the news article referred to. Mr Birnie is to be commended for his initiative and enterprise. This success raises in the mind the hard question of Taupo's thermal possibilities for practical application in various directions. Central heating is one. It is probable that others\will emulate Mr Birnie and seek also for bore steam to be harnessed within modest limits for domestic and business purposes apart from electrical power. It would be well however, if due-thought were given to the fact that for laymen, at any rate, the search for steam is more or less a gambler's enterprise. The trained geologist and other practitioners in the allied sciences are on surer ground when exploring the haunts of the steam grounds in the bowels of the earth, and even they have experienced frustrations and disappointments. Nevertheless, it may be useful to bear in mind that Nature in the Taupo district has revealed assets of a special kind that may be worth studying when looking ahead along the lines of th's community's future development.