EARLY START.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 65, 18 March 1938, Page 11

EARLY START.

POWER DEVELOPMENT WAIKAREMOANA SCHEME. COST JUST UNDER €1,000,000. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Cabinet has approved of a commencement being made with the further hydro-electric scheme at Waikareinoana. Details of the proposal were described to-day by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple. The undertaking is estimated to involve the expenditure of nearly £1,000,000 and arrangements are being made for an early start with the con" struction of preliminary works, such ns access roads and workers' accommodation. "1 he proposed development will be located below the existing power station, which has been in operation since about 102i>, and will use water discharged from that station, ' said IVIr. Semple. "The main items in the works to be carried out will consist of an earth dam across the present tail-race, which will form a lake of about 80 acres between the main village and the power station. "For this lake water will be taken in a tunnel about a mile and threequarters in length and ltift in diameter to a surge-chamber located 350 ft above the Waikaremoaiia Stream, a short distance downstream from the Taptti homestead and woolshed," he continued. "From the surge-tank, comparatively short pressure pipe-lines on a steep grade will lead down to the power station on the river bank. "The plant to be installed will consist of two main units, each of about 28,000 horse-power capacity. A good deal of the switch gear and control apparatus will be located at the present power station, and operation of th" new station would be largely directed from there." The largest individual work on the scheme would be the tunnel of a mile and three-quarters, Mr. Semple said. This would practically all be through solid papa country. The need for additional works was becoming urgent, owing to the rapid rate at which the demand for electricity was increasing, he continued. Rapid construction of the tunnel was essential. Provision was being made by which it could be opened at different points along the line, so that work might be proceeding at six different faces at the same time. The total work was estimated to cos* slightly under £1.000.000. which, on kilowatt or horsepower basis, would compare very favourably with existing power stations, the Minister concluded. As preliminary works were completed the number of men would be gradually increased until a full complement of 400 or 500 would be employed.