BEGINNING OF HUGE PROJECT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26717, 11 March 1948, Page 8

BEGINNING OF HUGE PROJECT

NEW POWER SCHEME

Preparatory Work Steadily Advanced CAMP SITES SELECTED Nothing is being left to chance in the planning of the biggest hydro-electric schenie to be undertaken in New Zealand, the Roxburgh Gorge project which will ultimately produce over 300,000 kilowatts for the South Island. Naturally it will be some time before the major works are commenced, but an idea of the intensive investigations and planning being carried out on the site was given by the project engineer, Mr C. E. K. Alecock, when the Daily Times visited the Public Works camp yesterday. Mr Alecock flew down from Wellington in the department’s plane on a brief visit to the project where Mr G. J. Hallewell, his second-in-command, is at present in charge. While the structure of the country is being tested and surveying parties are constantly at work, the temporary construction camp is steadily growing and nearly 100 buildings have been erected for accommodation, offices, workshops and storerooms. The staff, too, is increasing. There are five engineers on the site at present and two more are expected this month., Additional draughtsmen are arriving and there are at present 60 men on the job. It is unlikely, however, that this number will be increased for some time, until the essential investigations are completed.

It is too early for a decision to have been reached as. to the type of dam and the method of construction to be adopted. An engineer will arrive on the site this month, whose sole duty will be to investigate and test materails available in the area. Proposals are being fully considered whether concrete should be used entirely for the dam or whether rock and earth filling may be used. These artd other important decisions will be made when the surveys and investigations are completed. Survey parties are also at work at Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea, which will be used as storage reservoirs for the Roxburgh scheme. The site of the actual dam has not yet been pin-pointed, but it has been decided, of course, that the tract between Pleasant Valley and the mouth of the gorge is entirely suitable for a project capable of such* a vast output of power. Three survey parties shortly

this investigation of the structure of the‘country between the river and the valley where once a goldmining claim was operated. Boring 250 feet below the surface, exploratory drilling has proved that the area is entirely satisfactory. ‘ Yesterday officials of the Government Housing Department conferred with Mr Alecock and Mr Hallewell, over the permanent village and the construction camp. These will be built on the latest town-planning methods and will provide the most up-to-date amenities and facilities for their residents. Surveys have been made for the location of i the permanent and construction villages and the sites have now been determined. The permanent village will be on the western side of the river close to the site of the present temporary construction camp. The construction camp for the major project will be on the low terraces on the eastern side almost opposite the present camp. The present camp has been growing steadily in recent months and gangs are at present engaged in building offices and erecting additional huts Large Quonset huts have been erected for wqrkshops and for storage purposes and sites have been prepared for additional offices. Slightly nearer Roxburgh, an independent camp is being erected and the first few of the 200 single-man huts have been placed in position. This camp is being carefully planned and laid out, even though it will not be the main construction camp for the project.

to be increased to five, are at present engaged on this area so that the exact site of the dam may be determined and reliable estimates of the quantities and costs involved may be taken out. At Pleasant Valley itself careful investigations are proceeding. High above the Molyneux, which is very discoloured at present, is a dark tunnel extending far into the‘rock face that separates the* river bed from Pleasant Valley. It has been driven 460 feet Into the hill and electric lights twinkle In the distance. Another 70 feet of tunnelling remains to be completed in