Another Contract For Manapouri

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30172, 2 July 1963, Page 11

Another Contract For Manapouri

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 1. A second very big contract for the Manapouri hydro-electric project would go to tender about the end of the year, the Minister of Works (Mr Goosman) announced today.

This contract would be for the construction of the underground power house and associated works such as intake, penstocks and draught tubes.

Mr Goosman said the manner in which the full potential of Manapouri would be developed was still under study. “It has not yet been decided what the maximum lake levels will be or what will be the operating range, except that works will be designed with a view te ensuring that there will not under any circumstances be any danger of flooding the townshin of Te Anau,” he said. The nature and precise siting of the control structures was still under investigation.

“As soon as this information comes to hand as a result of studies now being pushed ahead with all possible vigour, the public will be fully informed,” Mr Goosman said.

The powerhouse situated 700 ft underground will be 400 ft long, 80ft high and 70ft wide. The excavation for it, in rock, will be the first of its kind in New Zealand. Mr D. J. Hibberd, manag-ing-director of Comalco Industries, Pty., Ltd., said today his company was pleased at the announcement by Mr Goosman. that a £9.387,787 contract had been let for the first stage of the Manapouri scheme, according to a message from Melbourne. “We are delighted at this further development in our joint project with the New Zealand Government tp establish an aluminium industry in New Zealand,” he said.