POWER FROM MANGAHAO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19858, 31 January 1928, Page 10

POWER FROM MANGAHAO.

EFFECT OF DRY SPELL. LOADS TO BE REDUCED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. ] PALMEKSTON NORTH, Monday. At the conference of delegates representing all the authorities securing electric power from Mangahao, held to-day, Sir. F. T. Kissel, departmental engineer, pointed out the serious position that had arisen as the result of the dry spell and that a reduction ,of the load was essential. He acknowledged the efforts several of the power boards and borough councils had made already to. meet tho situation, but pointed out that this was not sufficient to meet the crisis now facing the department. After lengthy discussion the conference gave the department authority to make a 20 per cent, reduction in load's, leaving it to the various boards to make their own arrangements to meet tho circumstances. Mr. Kissel considered a 20 per cent, reduction would meet tho case. i WAIKAREMOANA SCHEME. EXPEDITING THE WORK. [BY IELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] GISBORNJE, Monday. The failure of Mangahao to copo with the load of electricity that is available for it is causing the Public Works, Department to push on faster with the VVaikaremoana power scheme, so that a portion of the load may bo taken over by that plant at as early a date as possiblo. Iho camps at the VVaikaremoana power site are growing and there are now employed on the works and tho power lines, both at Gisborne and Napier, a total _of over 700 men. The indications are that in the near future this numbc will be considerably increased. Two heavy transformers, each weighing approximately 25 tons, aro at the Wairoa railway yards awaiting transportation to Waikaremoana. Tho problem of taking them over the winding road to the lake is one that has occasioned much thought to those responsible. The most difficult pinch is at the Mahunga Hill. There tho road descends for about four chains very steeply and at the bottom turns sharply on to a bridge. A traction engine is now on its way frcrn Napier to supply-the haulage power and tho work of strengthening the bridges over which the loads would havo to pass is rapidly ncaring completion.