STREAM DIVERTED

Grey River Argus, 6 September 1939, Page 4

STREAM DIVERTED

ELECTRIC-POWER SUPPLY. GOOD PROGRESS at tuai. GISBORNE, September 4. Diversion of the Waikaretaheke Stream into an artificially-created j channel to permit of excavations for a new power house on the old bed of |t he stream marked an important stage in the development of the low’er hydro-electric scheme at Waikare- ' moana. At present approximately 250 men are engaged on the job in . three shifts. One of. the most difficult and important jobs is the construction of the , concrete-lined tunnel which is to convey water from ‘the intake at the extreme end of the artificial lake which is to be created at Tuai to the surge j chamber about 9,600 ft. away. The work is now well under way and,men are engaged on four tunnel faces; The. new surge chamber is t£> be situated on a spur overlooking the power house, and from it the water will spill down twin 7ft. 6in. pipes to the power house,- a drop of 360 ft. It was for the purpose of enabling the power house, which is to be situated . oyer the old river bed, to be . erected that the artificial channel was constructed. The work also entailed the erection of a bridge across the channel. Excellent progress has. been made with the job, which is now sufficiently/ well advanced to enable the artificial channel ‘to be brought into commission, water from the Waiharetaheke being successfully diverted.