Provision for Future Power Supply

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 264, 7 November 1938, Page 2

Provision for Future Power Supply

WAIKATO RIVER PROJECT After three years of rock-testing and survey work on the Waikato River between Cambridge and Taupo, it seems evident that the site at the Crow’s Nest, Maungatautari, about five miles up tho river from Cambridge has been decided upon by the officers of the Public Works Department as the most suitable for the establishment of a huge hydro-electric plant, states tho New Zealand Herald. There is considerable activity at the site at present, and at K&rapiro, across the river from tho Crow’s Nest, a camp has been established. Tha indications arc that if a generating station is to be built it will be located on the Karapiro side of the river. Concern has been expressed by Mr. F. T. M. Kissel, chief electrical engineer for the Public Works Department, about tho prospective shortage of power in the North Island in view of tho steadily increasing demand. He has expressed the view that if difficulty occurs in meeting this demand it will be in 1941 and he has made arrangements with the large steam plants in Auckland and Wellington to augment the Government stations in 1940 and 1941. The Capacity of Arapuni. Further power can bo made available by augmenting tho six units at Arapuni with the installation of two more, thus bringing this station to its, full capacity, while a commencement has been made with a new development of 40,000 kilowatts capacity below the existing one at Waikaremoana. Any further development beyond this must take the form of new stations and it would appear that the Government has now reached tho point where the erection of a large plant at a selected site on the Waikato River has to be considered. In his Public Works {Statement this year the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. JSemple, said that surveys and investigations had been carried out in relation to further power schemes on the Waikato River, and at a late date Mr. Kissel said that the department was making investigations with the idea of probably some day fairly soon starting further development on this waterway. Utmost Thoroughness Essential. These surveys were commenced at Maungatautari and were continued right up to Taupo, but attention has again been concentrated on Maungatautari. The surveys and investigations have to be carried out with the utmost thoroughness so that there can be n« doubt as to the stability of the country and its ability to stand the pressure of a huge body of water held by the dam. From the position of the tunnelling and boring being carried out at the Crow’s Nest to test the rock, a fairly accurate idea can be gained of the point where the river is to be harnessed. This is at a narrow portion of the river several hundred yards above Grinter’s Quarry. Exceptionally Hard Rock. Altogether there are 14 men engaged on both sidos of the river. Large areas of fern have been cleared for i testing, while numerous tracks have been cut in the hillside and down to the water’s edge. In a number of places drives have been made into the hills for some distance, the work being carried out with drills ruu from a portable air compressor. The drives are timbeed and hand trucks are being used to remove the spoil. There are several vertical shafts, but most of the foundation testing is being carried out by boring. The contractor engaged on tho boring has stated that so far the rock is the hardest he has ever worked in his experience. Diamond cutters are necessary on the drill, which in most places eats into the rock at less than a foot an hour. One boring plant is in operation at present and two additional plants will be brought into use next week. The boring will be continued until after Christmas, so that a thorough check may be made of the nature of the country. Testing River Bed. A difficult task will be commenced next week, when the river bed will be tested. A special boring plant is to be carried on a bargo for this work and a cable is now being placed across the river to control this vessel. So far the tests are considered to be highly satisfactory. In addition to the drilling on the actual dam site, the whole course of tho rock formation is to be tested for flaws and decomposition. Surveyors have also been busy in the locality. Soundings have been taken in various parts of the river and the depths are indicated by markings oe. lines stretched from bank to bank. The various gullies which would form a huge lake if a dam were built are also being surveyed in detail.