FIRST POWER UNIT AT ARAPUNI READY

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6902, 7 May 1929, Page 7

FIRST POWER UNIT AT ARAPUNI READY

Tragic Circumstance

ENGINEER IN CHARGE EXPIRES SOON AFTER

EFFECTS OF OVERSTRAIN.

Per Press Association.

HAMILTON, May 6,

The first unit of the Arapuni power works, generating 15,000 kilowatts had a preliminary run on Saturday night. It will be run for about a fortnight to dry out tho generator, and it is then expected that power will be available to tho public. This one unit of tho three to be installed provides more current than the whole of the works at Horahora, where the output is 10,300 kilowatts. The completion of this great work was marked by tragic circumstances, the engineer in charge, Mr Wilfred Swaney, dying almost immediately after. The power was turned on at 6.30 and was shut off at 7.30. Later Mr Swaney, who was feeling the effects of the strain, went for a drive with his wife and two friends. He was suddenly taken ill and expired before a doctor arrived. Mr Swaney was born at Tcmuka 40 years ago. He served his apprenticeship at the government railway workshops at Addington and continued his education at the Canterbury College School of Engineering. He took a position with the Dunedin City Corporation at the Waipori power station and in 1017 joined the public works at tho Lake Coleridge power station and was subsequently promoted to first operator at Mangahao. In 1025, Ml Swaney was appointed superintendent at Horahora and in March of this year was also appointed superintendent at Arapuni. He is survived by his widow and a daughter aged 11 years.