POWER SCHEME AT APIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19965, 6 December 1926, Page 12

POWER SCHEME AT APIA

INSTALLATION INTENDED. TENDERS TO BE CALLED. (Special to Dailv Times.) AUCKLAND, December 4. Arrangements have been completed tor the installation of a hydro-electric power scheme at Apia, and tenders for the plant are being called in New Zealand, iney will close next week. The details of tne scheme were given this morning by Mr J. G. MTdecke, civil engineer, of Apia, who returned to Auckland yesterday alter a visit of inspection to Arapuni. Ho said it was intended to harness the Vaisigano stream, which flowed from the mountains in the interior of the island tor a distance of about five miles to the coa t. The amount of fall from the proposed headworks to the site of the power house, which would lie erected at Magigi, was 190 ft, and in the initial stages 100 kilowatts would be generated. Provision was being made for a considerable development later on, and the plant that was being ordered would have a generating capacity of 2200 kilowatts. The power would be utilised chiefly in the town of Apia, but there would also be a demand from various native villages where it was expected that small lightingplants would bo set up. The scheme would be confined to the island of Upolu, because it would be impracticable to lay a cable across the strait to the adjoining island of Savaii as the cost would be too great. He said that it was the second power scheme in the South Pacific, as there was already a power scheme at Pago Pago, the headquarters in the group for the American navy. Mr Meideeke said that the total cost of harnessing the .Vaisigano stream, and the necessary equipment, would be £15,000. It was proposed to sell the power nt 9d per unit for lighting and 6d per unit for power. There would also be a reduced charge for cooking purposes. Recently a complete survey was made of Upolu Island in order to ascertain me possibilities of developing hydro-electiic power, and it was found that, in addition to Lanotoo Lake, there were a number of mountain streams which could be brought in should the occasion arise. Lanotoo Lake is a sheet of water three miles in circumference, and is a beautiful crater lake amid a wonderful setting of tropical vegetation. For many years it has been one of the principal attractions for visitors to Apia.