MANGAHAO SCHEME

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11296, 23 August 1922, Page 2

MANGAHAO SCHEME

THE WORKS IN PRBCRESS SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY END OP NEXT YEAH. lIEP OIIT TO PRO GUESS LEAGUE. A satisfactory report regarding the progress of the Mangahao hydro-elec-tric scheme has been made to the Central Progress League by Mr G. Mitchell. M.P., the league’s secretary, who paid a visit of inspection to the works. In his report, Mr Mitchell states:— “No. 1 inlet has been pierced to a distance of 1914 ft, and at the outlet end 1670 ft has been bored, making a total of 3584 ft. The length of this tunnel is 5280 ft, thus leaving 1696 ft yet to be pierced. The monthly average is about 285 ft. It will, therefore, take about six months to complete the excavation of this tunnel. No. 2 tunnel is in 2044 ft and the outlet 1463 ft, a total of 3507 ft driven out of 6600 ft, leaving 3093 ft yet to be pierced. The tunnel is being worked from four faces, and at the average rate of progress, this tunnel will he through in eight months. The by-pass tunnel at the Mangahao end is through, and is now being lined with concrete. Much concrete lining has already been done, and the rest will follow closely on the tunnellers. “No work has taken place at No. 2 inlet since the unfortunate accident, but machinery is now being installed to work the pumps by electricity, and it is hoped that a start will be made in this tunnel in about two weeks. It will be seen, therefore, that the tunnels will be through early next year, EXTENSIVE EXCAVATIONS. “At No. 1 dam a good deal more excavation than was at first anticipated has been necessary to get to a satisfactory foundation, but it is expected that this will he completed and the construction of the dam commenced in November. No. 2 dam: Unfortunately the excavations required for this dam are also much more extensive and more difficult than was at first anticipated, and when people realise that there will be over 10,000 yards of concrete in each of these dams, they will have some idea of their size. But, with all the difficulties, there is no reason to anticipate delay. “Good progress is being made with the power-houße. The outer walls are now about ten feet above The excavation of the surge chamber is almost completed. Some of the 360 men now employed are laying the bed for the pipe-line, sinking the shaft over No. 2 tunnel inlet, and on many other jobs connected with the works, so that all may he in readiness at the end of next year. COMPLETED BY 1923 1 “The largest number of men (360) yet employed are now on the works, and, barring unforeseen happenings and delays, I see no reason to doubt the department’s ability to fulfil the promise made by the Minister that the ■works should be completed by December, 1923. While there is no reason to anticipate any happenings which would cause delay, yet there are always so many possibilities connected with a big work of this nature. Jf> for instance, during the initial stage* of construction of No. 1 dam, a flood occurred in the Mangahao, which it was beyond the capacity of the by-pass tunnel to cope with, many months of labour might be swept away. These are possible happenings which it is beyond human power to prevent, and must be reckoned with. “We may expect a move to be made shortly with the construction of the main transmission line, as this work also must he pushed on.”