Public Works Praised

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 42, 2 May 1930, Page 23

Public Works Praised

ME. R. SPRAGUH, manager of the Thames Valley Power Board, commenting on the Arapuni power station, says: "The success of this work is undoubtedly a great tribute to the skill of our New Zealand engineers, who, many British and Australian experts ‘gay, are equal to those of ahy country in the world." The foundations which will carry the fourth generating unit have now béen ‘completed ahd .the..machinety from overseas is awaited. The engineérs are now directing their activities to another and intensely interesting enterprise, This is the extension of the powerhouse to double its present length, to accommodate four moré units, When this work is completed the station will be able to generate 120,000 kilowatts. The first work in the new enterprise will be the blasting of the high wall of -rock on the powerhouse side of the gorge, to make room for the new building. The excavation work has been commenced, and affords a spectacular diversion when heavy cargoes ate fired. Mr. Sprague considers that it is most gratifying to those who had publicly expressed faith in the scheine from the beginning to note the splendid way in which’ it has been conceived and car- ried out, in the face of severe criticism which overseas experts now state was wrongly directed, + * om ae ree ~ nen