POWER EXPANSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25211, 25 May 1945, Page 9

POWER EXPANSION

HARNESSING' WAIKATO DEPARTMENT'S INTENTIONS (0.C.) HAMILTON, Thursday The Minister of Works, Mr Scruple, stnted today that the 15-yenr plan of the Works Department for electricity development contemplated the construction of eight power stations along the banks of the Waikato liiver. Kxcellent progress was being made at Karapi ro. The employment position had greatly improved and a much better class of worker was being employed. There were now 300 returned servicemen on the job and they were an excellent type. Except for 40 carpenters, a full complement, totalling 1000 men. was engaged. Mr Semple said that preliminary work was being carried out at Maraetai. It was proposed to build a model self-con-tained town there, with all modern amenities. Work \yas now proceeding with 13 miles of roadiug, while accommodation for tunncllers was being provided. The object was to have everything ready for the transfer of the Karapiro stall' to Maraetai as soon as Karapiro was completed next year. The Waikato Hiver electrical scheme, Mr Semple said, was similar to that being adopted in the Tennessee Valley,

America, only on a smaller scale. The Waikato projects constituted the biggest hydro-electrical scheme in Australia and New Zealand. A visit was paid to the Karapiro works today by tlu: Minister. He was shown over the job by the engineer in charge, Mr J. T, Gilkison, who stated that ns far as practical different sections of the work were being carried out bv co-operative contracts. The advantage of this system was demonstrated in the section devoted to the bending of steel for reinforced concrete work. Under the co-operative system 2i! men were doing more work than did under the day labour system. The only department in which there bad been any difficulty in connection with the co-operative system related to the carpenters, who were reluctant to adopt it, in spite of the fact that it had been shown they could earn more money by doing so. Mr Sempie said a works committee, consisting of representatives of the engineering staff and the various trades employed, Had been set up at Kara piro. This committee met regularly and discussed suggestions for improving the work and the conditions. Important problems had been considered and helpful solutions found, and much valuable work had been achieved in giving the men a real interest in the project.