CABINET APPROVES WORK.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 March 1938, Page 7

CABINET APPROVES WORK.

NEW HYDRO SCHEME AT ; WAIKAEEMOANA. (By Telegraph—Press Associatioa.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. Cabinet has approved of a commence nent being made with the further hydrodectric scheme at Waikaremoana. Deails of this proposal were described ;o-day by the Minister of Public Works [Hon. R. Semple). The undertaking is 3stimated to involve an expenditure of nearly £1,000,000, and arrangements are oeing made for an early start with the jonstruction of the preliminary works such as access roads and workers' accommodation. “The proposed development will be located below the existing power station which has been in operation since about 1929 and will use the water discharged from that station," said Mr. vSemple. “The main items in the works to be carried out will consist of an earth dam across the present tail race which will form a lake of about 80 acres between the main village and the power station. From this lake the J water will be taken in a tunnel about a mile and three-quarters in length and 16 feet in diameter to a surge chamber located 350 feet above the Waikaremoana stream a short distance downstream from the Tapui homestead and woolshed. From the surge tank comparatively short pressure pipe lines on a steep grade will lead down to the power station on the riverbank. The plant to be installed will consist of two main units each of about 28,000 horse power capacity. A good deal of switchgear and control apparatus will be located at the present power station and the operation of the new station Will be largely directed from there.” The largest individual work on the scheme would be the tunnel of one mile and three-quarters. This would practically all be through solid papa conn | try. The need for additional works was becoming urgent owing to the rapid rate at which the demand'tor electricity was increasing. The rapid construction of this tunnel was essential and provision was being made by which it could be opened tip at different points along the line so that the work might be proceeding at six different faces at the same time. The total work was estimated to cost slightly' under £1,000,000 which on a per kilowatt or per horsepower basis would compare very favourably with the existing power stations. As the preliminary works were completed the number of men w r ould bo gradually increased until the full complement ox TOO or 50U would be employed.