CONTRACTS LET IN N.Z.

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26264, 8 November 1950, Page 5

CONTRACTS LET IN N.Z.

SAVINGS OF DOLLARS WORTH £65,000

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, November 7. Canadian dollars worth £65,000 will be saved by a contract let to an Auckland engineering firm for the fabrication of plate-steel casings. These will be used to contain the Hydraulic turbines at the Whakamaru and Roxburgh hydro-electric schemes. The Dominion Engineering Company, of Canada, successful bidders for a State Hydro-electric Department contract of nearly 2,000,000 dollars for the turbines, has given a sub-contract to Mason Brothers Engineering Co., Ltd., for the casings. “To save dollars, all work possible will be done in New Zealand,” said Mr J. C. McKean, the company's representative who has come to New Zealand to discuss the contract with Government officials.* Another small contract has been let to a Christchurch firm. The Dominion Engineering Company will supply four turbines, each of 56,000 horse-power units, for the Roxburgh scheme, and four 35.000 horse-power units for Whakamaru. The first for Roxburgh will reach Auckland in July, 1952, and that for Whakamaru a month later. The rest for both projects will follow at intervals of three months. Steel is a major problem. Broken Hill, Australia, cannot supply the 600 tons needed. A British firm will supply it, but the delivery date is six months too late. The Government is trying to speed delivery. Whakamaru is on the Waikato river.