TWO POWER SCHEMES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 84, 19 January 1928, Page 6

TWO POWER SCHEMES

THE WORK AT ARAPUNI. PROSPECTS AT WAIKAREMOANA (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, January IS.

The Public Works Department, having taken over the remaining work at Arapuni, a beginning was made to-day on the power-house' foundations. Mr Kissel, Chief Electrical Engineer, and Mr Dinnie, engineer in charge at Arapuni, discussed the plan of campaign on the spot a few days ago, and the foundations are to be excavated to the point indicated in the original contract. They had been carried to within 17 feet of this point by Armstrong, Whitworth and Co. A well-boring plant is being installed to put down further bores, and if any portion of the foundation area is discovered to be soft, the foundation excavations in that section will be carried down lower. It is not anticipated that there ‘will he any exceptional difficulty in completing a satisfactory base for the big powerhouse building, which is to have a frontage of 200; feet to the Waikato River, and a width of 85 feet. its height above wAter level will be 100 feet, and a lift ’will rise -from the roof to the further height of the upper road, and the sub-station on the hill, where the work of installing the transformers is well advanced. All the machinery for power generation is at Arapuni, and the completion of this big work only waits on the building of the power-house and installation of generators. ' Armstrong, Whitworth and Co. have nyt yet handed over the dam and. spillway involved in their contract, as cnere are minor matters to complete. Another big Hydro-electric undertaking, which will harness the waters of Lane Waikaremoaua, is thoroughly under way. Headworks, diversion dam and the tunnel are almost finished. Tfie power-house is in a forward state, and its roof will be put on by March. Transformers have arrived at VVairoa, antd await transport to the lake, while the generating macUinery will reach New Zealand early in the year. Tliis work should be completed in time to bring Waikaremoana power into use by (Jnristmas, 1628.