THE HYDRO STATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 82, 17 January 1940, Page 4

THE HYDRO STATION.

HIGHBANK WORK IN PROGRESS. MAKING THE ACCESS ROAD. Preliminary work in connection with the erection of the hydro-electric generating station which is to be established at Highbank in the next few months has been in hand for some weeks and has consisted of the construction of an access road. This, leading over the property of Mr J. A. Callaghan, will' run through to the top of the terrace overlooking the Rakaia River and the site of the station, which will be at the foot of the high terrace. The machinery for the station, and materials for the building of the station will be hauled over this road and lowered down the face of the terrace. The road construction is being carried out under the direction of Mr J. O. Riddell, who lias charge of the f northern section of the County irrigation scheme. A bulldozer has been at work there for some time aiuT a second was put into operation to-day. Temporary fencing along the sides of the road is also being put up. The work should be completed in about three weeks. The road will be about two miles long. Utilising the surplus water from the main diversion race of the irrigation scheme, the station will he a valuable addition to the generating plants of the South Island, and will include the largest single generating unit to he brought to the Dominion. It will be operating by the autumn of 1941, according to the plans of the Public Works-Department, but inquiries made by a “Guardian” reporter this morning from the Department’s offices in Christchurch showed that so far there has not been afny word as to the date of the arrival of the machinery from England.