HYDRO-ELECTRIC WORKS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 November 1924, Page 7

HYDRO-ELECTRIC WORKS.

MANGAHAO OPENED TO-DAY. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. SHANNON, Nov. 3. The hydro-electric development scheme at Mangahao is being formally opened to-day by the Prime Minister. The weather is extremely satisfactory, bright sunshine prevailing. Mr. Massey, Hon. J, G. Coates (Minister for Public Works), a large number of representatives of both Houses, members of local Power Boards, Mr. F. T. Kisell (chief electrical engineer), and other representatives of the Public Works Department arrived here on their way to the ceremony. The Mangahao station is at present the largest generating station in New Zealand, the voltage of transmission being 110,006. Power is to be supplied to the power boards all over the district. It will immediately be turned on to Horowlienua. and later Wellington citv will absorb about one-half •of the supply. Though the proposals relating to the scheme were introduced in 1904 the actual work was not commenced until May, 1919. The head works and generating machinery alone were erected at a cost of approximately a million sterling, greatly exceeding the estimates. A banquet will b> e held in Shannon this afternoon.

In a speech at the formal opening of the development scheme, Mr Massey referred to the great steps that had been taken in the direction of reticulating the whole country, and referred to other enterprises on a huge scale, which would shortly oe under way! Waikato' would he provided with power from Arapuni, and Waikaremaana would be another large scheme that would soon be in oneration.

B-OP. J-, Cf. Coates (Minister of Public \\ orks) stated that in addition to the million stewing which represented the cost of the construction of the head works and generating machinery there would be required an expenditure of an additional million in transmission, but of this' £400,000 woxfld he charged to the Waikafemioana scheme. Mr Masseyj . was presented with ,a golden lcev and the Hon. J. G. Coates with a silver . cigarette case in ccimmemofalien of the occasion. At the conclusion of the speeches Hon. Coates turned on the power at Mr Massey’s direction, amid cheers.