MANGAHAO SCHEME

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 126, 24 November 1923, Page 8

MANGAHAO SCHEME

RAPID PROGRESS OF THE WORK

A MINISTERIAL VISIT.

The fine weather prevailing lately has enabled work in connection with the Mangahao hydro-electric scheme to be pushed on with a greater celerity than has formerly been possible. The progress made during recent weeks has been very marked, bringing the big undertaking more within the prediction made by the Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister of Public Works), that current would be available from Mangahao in June next. If the present fine weather spell lasts a little longer it will removesome of the big jobs now under way at the works from interference from any storm that may occur—and there have been many that have left their effect since the scheme has been under construction.

Recently a start was made to concrete the floor of the Mangahao dam. Steadily lias this work progressed, and a visit gives evidence that some of ths very cif acult engineering hurdles have been successfully cleared.- Work is also going on merrily and rapidly at the power house. The men engaged on the building have now reached the roof level. The huge obstacles that have had to be overcome by the engineers and their staffs are considerable. These obstacles cannot very well be described, but can ?i e 7uapprtciated by a visit to tho worksWhen the scheme has been completed, which, is not very far distant now, and the Wellington people are receiving the cheap current the scheme will make possible, then will it be appropriate to offer congratulations to the Government and to the men who plodded away so doggedly at the big undertaking. ~- ■ Yesterday a visit was paid in beautiful weather to the Mangahao works by the Hon. Sir Francis Bell (Acting-Prime Minister) and the Hon. R. F. Bollard (Minister of Internal Affairs). The Minutenal -party included Mrs. and Miss Wollard and Mrs. Hunter, Mr L Birks, head of the Government's hydroelectrical Department,. and his assistant, Mr. F. T. M. Kissel. In company with Mr. A. Dinnie (District Engineer) and Mr. A. Gavey (District Electrical Enlgneer), the visitors were shown over much of the works.

I have, long waited an opportunity to see Mangahao," said the Hon. Mr. Bollard, in conversation with a "Post" reporter this morning. "The colossal nature of the work strikes one greatly. From what I saw in going over the comprehensive works with the engineers, the difficulties that engineering skill have overcome are very apparent, and the men working on the job seem to me to be deserving of high praise. When the undertaking has been completed I should say that •■ the Mangahao hydro-station works, which are situated amid picturesque bush scenery, will no doubt 1 be an attraction to visitors from Wellington." -