GOOD PROGRESS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 202, 8 June 1933, Page 5

GOOD PROGRESS.

SOUNDNESS OF ARAPUNI. NEARLY AT FULL CAPACITY. (Special to the “Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, June 7. One of the cheerful features of the depression has been the steady progress of the liydro-electrie systems of the Dominion. The Hon. J. Bitchener, discussing his visit to Arapuni, commented on the satisfactory way in which this big undertaking is approaching full capacity load. All the generators are in good running order, and the Minister remarked that, so far as a layman can judge, Arapuni hydroelectric works are now thoroughly sound.

“It will not be long,” lie added,' “before Arapuni is working up to full load; for despite the depression the demand for electricity has been increasing. The rate of progress has not been so fast as in. former times, hut the extension has gone on, because more and more houses are connected up, and with the completion of the transmission line from Arapuni into Taranaki, there will be a further outlet for business.

“Development of the Arapuni load has been so satisfactory,” said Mr Bitchener, ‘ that we have even discussed what will have to be done to enlarge the power house. There is not much excavation to be done in the gorge, as a good deal of the preliminary work has been done.” An interesting point also mentioned by the Minister was that the former head of the Public Works Department (Mr F. W. Furkert) who was responsible for the completion of the Arapuni scheme and the subsequently renovations, spent several days on the job recently during the most critical stage of placing the additional sluice gate in the diversion tunnpl, which is one of the safety features he recommended when the breakdown occurred.