ALMOST READY FOR POWER

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 47, 3 December 1952, Page 2

ALMOST READY FOR POWER

FINISHING TOUCHES AT THE HATEPE PIYDRO WORKS Cleaning up operations on the Hinemaiaia Stream at the Hatepe Hydro-Electricity head-works for the Taupo Power Supply Scheme indicate that the moment for switching on the current is close at hand. In conversation with the Chairman oi the Town Board (Mr J. E. Story), it was learnt that all being favour^ able the gates of the diversion outflow were to have 1 been closed on Monday last. It was expected that the lake behind' the spillway would fill up fairly rapidly, as the stream was carrying a heavy volume of water owing to the recent rains. At the present rate of flow the lakelevel, it was thought, would reach to the top of the spillway in -a matter of four to five hours. Power will be supplied in the meantime from the 150 Kilowatt plant pending the arrival of the 1,000 Kilowatt turbine now on the water. The generator for this will arrive later. The smaller unit is now bedded down, and the electricions are busily engaged in wiring* up the complex set-up of the component parts of the equipment, and the transformers. The "Taupo Times" has in preparation a special edition on the occasion of the switching on of the current, in which the history of the scheme wiil be recorded, and various aspects of the undertaking reviewed. The date of this edition is dependent upon the date of the opening, which at the time of writing, is still un« certain.