USE OF WATER POWER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2171, 2 September 1920, Page 1

USE OF WATER POWER.

HOW RAETIHI HELPED ITSELF,

The immense advantages to be derived from the utilisation of hydroelectric power is strikingly exemplified in the rapidly-rising township of Raetihi. It is a pleasure to traverse the streets of the progressive Waimarino centre at night and to observe the effective manner in which the thoroughfares and business premises are illuminated. Though the powerhouse plant was only installed and set in motion by the Hon. W. F, Massey in December, 1917; already 5J miles of streets are wired, and consumers total 225. Forty street lamps have been erected throughout

the town, the average candle-power of each being 200. HARNESSING THE SNOW,

About five miles from the township one comes upon the lirst evidences of the manner in which art and science have worked together to harness the eternal snows of Mount Ruapehu, in order that they might supply power and light to the dwellers on the plains. A race, in places 12ft. deep, carries the water from the Makara Stream across the plateau ' for about 11 miles to where there is a sheer drop of 3(>o feet into a gorge. At the foot of this precipice, at the confluence of two si reams, stands the power-house, where the wheels go round which light the homes and make the factories hum al Eaetihi. THE PLANT. The ]slant consists of a 100-h.p. Pelton wheel direct coupled to a (10 kilowatt alternator, generating current at 3,000 volts. Power is transmitted to the town by three copper wires at'a voltage of 3,000. The plant is non-altendant except for a tri-weekly visit by the engineer. The voltage regulator, which keeps the pressure absolutely constant, takes the place of a powerhouse attendant. The governor which controls the Pelton wheel keeps the speed constant at 000 revolutions per minute, and should (lie driving belt break it automatically closes the plant down.

At present the water is taken from the Makara Stream, whieh can he developed up lo 20-h.p. eonslant. By turning in the Mokoluku and the Orautaha Streams, the maximum horse-power ean he brought up lo 800. By building dams and conserving the water during the slack periods of supply the maximum can be brought up to 2,000 horse-power to lake the peak load over several hours.

As showing the advantages ciir joyed from such a hydro-electrical scheme, it may be mentioned (hat several farmers along the transmission line have availed themselves of the supply, and have installed motors for sheep-shearing,. chaff and wood cutting, and also for lighting their homes. As material Becomes more plentiful the high tension lines will be extended further afield to supply further demands for agricultural purposes. Till'] WATER SUPPLY.

The electrical supply is used, amongst other things, to pump water for the town supply. The pump is a live-stage turbine pump,, capable of delivering 200 gallons a minute to a height of 230 feet. The reservoir is of circular construction, built of reinforced concrete,, with a capacity of 200,000 gallons. This lank is situated on an eminence near Ihe town, and about 200 feet above it. An Biu. pipe brings the water from the reservoir into the town, and the water is then reticulated throughout the town by smaller pipes.

The scheme was designed by Messrs H. W. Glimie and Sons, consulting engineers, of Hastings, but on Mr Henry Climie proceeding to the front in 1917, Mr Swinburn, who had just returned from Gallipoli, became resident engineer, and has been in charge ever since.

A GREAT FINANCIAL SUCCESS. The hydro-electrical scheme has proved a great financial asset to the Kaetihi Town Board, and has placed their finances in a very sound position. This non-attendant plant costs littie or nothing to run; in fact, the running costs for 1919-20 were only £B4 5s 6d, which included a travelling allowance of £6O to the engineer, while the revenue for the part financial year totalled £1,232 14s 3d. During April, May, June, and July of tins year the receipts averaged £l5O per month. Last year the profits from the electrical department converted a debit balance'of £233 at the beginning of the year into a credit balance of £192 at the end of the year, in addition to which £350 worth of new plant was purchased out of revenue, while £275 was paid away for restoring damage done by a burn-out at the powerhouse. This year the returns should show a much bigger profit. It is intended to duplicate the plant, and a new 100-h."}). set is now on the way to New Zealand,