POWER FROM HUAUA FALLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15504, 10 January 1914, Page 5

POWER FROM HUAUA FALLS

COUNTY COUNCIL'S SCHEME.

ENGINEER'S ESTIMATE.

Several hundred hoTse-power may be developed in electrical energy from the Hunua Falls, on the Wairoa River, and a scheme has been advanced for the employment of this power to provide electricity in the townships of Papakura, Manurewa, and Papatoetoe. A conference of the local authorities interested in the project has been convened by the Manukau County Council, and it will be held in Auckland on Tuesday morning.

Preliminary inquiries have already been made by the council regarding the practicability of the echeme. It has consulted the Prime Minister, and from him has obtained an assurance that ' the Minister for Public Works will not offer any objection to the council's plan of utilising the power of the falls. A report has been obtained from Mr. Ernest J. Fenn, consuming electrical engineer, and his estimates will be submitted to the conference for consideration. Mr. Fenn will also be present to explain any points raised by the delegates.

Basing his calculations on conservative figures, Mr. Fenn states in his report that by damming the stream above the falls a minimum effective power of 300 hp could be secured during the driest summer period, or with a larger dam, from 400 n.p. to 450 h.p. could be obtained. The amount of electricity that could be generated would be 1140 units per day from the smaller dam, and 1520 units from the arger dam. The falls can be easily developed, for there ar e excellent sites for the dam and the power-house, and no liability to damage by floods. A capita] expenditure of £33,500 would cover the cost of a supply system based on the larger construction, sufficient for the three towndistributed among from 8000 to 10,000 lamps of 50 candle-power each and motors developing a total of 400 to 600 horse-power. Two-thirds of this consumption would furnish • sufficient revenue to meet all charges. Assuming the rate for lighting at 7d per unit, and for power at 3d per unit, Mr. Fenn estimates the net annual revenue at £6137, and the working expenses at £5420, including allowances of four per cent, for repairs and depreciation and six per cent, for interest and sinking fund on a capital outlav of £36,000 The figures gjyen in the report are only approximate, and surveys will be necessary to confirm them. Mr. Fenn recommends that a measuring weir should be built in the river to enable the flow to be accurately recorded, and to enable the hydraulic works to be designed to suit the actual conditions.