HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 19 October 1926, Page 3

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

TARANAKI BOARD. MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Electric Power Board, wia-s held yesterday, when there were present Messrs H. G. Carman (chairman), O. Foreman, J. T. Belcher, J. Dobson, T. H. Anderson, C. E. MeGuinness, E. J. Knuckey, aad W. H. Were. The resident engineer, Mi - . B. H. Goldsmith, reported regaining disposal of power, and staff matters as under : The number of consumers to date is 1118, while 28 installations are ready for connection and 31 further are authorised. Cbwshed waiter heaters are becomingtvery popular and are being installed in increasing numbers. Two interruptions of supply during the month were due to lightning, one storm causing damage to line switches and house meters. Power House Staff.—ln addition to the power house engineer I recommend that three junior operators be appointed. This will allow for 24 hours attendance in the .station and -will give sufficient overlapping of shifts to enable usual maintenance work to be undertaken. In view of the isolated situation of the power house, certain provision will have to be made for the convenience of the -staff. I propose so to- arrange the shifts that each junior will be -able to spend one week-end at home in each three weeks. There is a probability that arrangements can be made for meals for the juniors, but accommodation will be needed. I recommend the erection of two small buildings, one to- Consist of three bedrooms with necessary furniture, aud the other a social room and kitchenette. Tire board’s consulting engineers, Messrs H. W. Climie and Son, reported on the construction of the system as follows: Main Tunnel.—The work of lining this tunnel has heen carried on in three shifts, without interruption, except during four days, owing to a break-down of the air compressor .that drives the cement gun. Seven-eights of the tunnel has now (been lined. It is expected to complete this in about a .month’s time. The concrete forebay and screen chamber at the intake has been completed an'cl the valve there is controlling the water. Power House.—Tire .contractors’ engineer has spent a week on the final adjustmentsi to the turbines. The surplus spoil in the approach to the power house has been removed. Tail Race. —The work of lining the tail race tunnel was interrupted early in the month by floods in the stream before the last half chain could be completed. The ground becoming saturated, heavy fails occurred near the outlet of tlve- tunnel, which had been enlarged to receive the concrete lining. As it was then unsafe, the last half chain of the tunnel had to- be oijiened to the surface, involving about 4.00 yards of excavation. Mangaotea tunnel —During the month water has been flowing through this tunnel and giving drainage to the contractor, who is excavating the water race the Mangaotea swamp. At the same time workmen have been engaged enlarging the small section of the tunnel. During the heavy rain on the ■loth inst. the tunnel was running fullbore. No damage occurred. Mako Stream.—The work of deepening this stream- has been held up for a fortnight owing to the heavy rainfall. The stream is again under control, and three shifts are being worked on two winches. Elat’apiko Dam.—During the heavy rainfall on the 9th and 10th insts. this dam filled to within two feet of the spillway, although the scour valve was open. The embankments withstood the test -successfully without leakage. Roads. —On the Motuka.wa R.oad a small road tunnel collapsed during the heavy rain.. The county workmen are now replacing the tunnel with 54 inch concrete -pipes, which have been lying on the road for years to' meet this contingency. Fencing. M;r. T. S. Humphrey, the successfuil tenderer for 51- miles of fencing, has commenced work at Rataoiko. Reticulation.—Lines -have been livened up and a -service given during the month on the Rotokare. Ti-rimo-ana, and Junction Rloads. The Brookes Road will be livened about October 20. The line has been extended 30 chains in Norfolk Road West. Wires are now being erected on the Warwick and Vic-’ toria Road -section'. Poles are being erected on the York and Rutland Rloads. P'ole lines have been surveyed on the Croydon, Radnor and Durham Ea-st Roads.

The reports wore received and adopted. A eonsidenalble amount of business concerning: reticulation in the hoard’s •northern district was considered, after which the hoard, proceeded to discuss matters ii,n committee.