WAIPORI

Otago Witness, Issue 3595, 6 February 1923, Page 28

WAIPORI

PROGRESS OF TFIE WORK. There are few more attractive places than Waipori for a municipal outing of the kind that took place on the 30th, when a large party from Dunedin paid a visit to the power station which .supplies, the city with its electric energy. The day remained fine throughout, and the motor journey, particularly over the latter portion of the road, was greatly enjoyed, the scenery being much admired by those who had not been over the ground before. The party consisted of -ihe Slay or and councillors, the heads of the different municipal departments, suburban Mayors, representatives of the Otago Harbour Board, the Expansion League, and members of a number of other local organisations. Most of the members of the party wore accompanied by their wives, and the visitors also included Mr and Mrs , Porritt (South Africa) and Mr Alan Jackson (Canada). The cars moved off from the Town Hall at 9.30 a.m., and on reaching Waipori the party had lunch in the schoolroom. After lunch inspection was made of the power station, and then the councillors and several of the male visitors walked ever the hill to see the work at the new dam further up the river. This was found to be progressing very satisfactorily. The coffer dam is prac tically completed, and half the bed of the river has been laid bare in readiness for the concreting work which will be put in hand almost at once. Sufficient gravel is on the ground for the mixing of the concrete, and as long as the river remains normal and the weather keeps fine excellent progress will be made. It is hoped to have the darn completed in six months* time, but as the advancement of the work is entirely dependent on the condition of the river it is difficult to give an accurate estimate. From here the party returned to inspect the now surge chamber, which is under construction at the outlet of the tunnel. The surge chamber, it may be explained, is a huge concrete tank, 40ft in diameter, and its purpose, as the name indicates, is t-o assist in regulating the supply of water to the pipes. TJlti- * mately, Cr Shaddock stated, this would be the only surge chamber in connection with the works, and all fhe pipes would be connected with it. The party was next conducted to the site of the new pipeline, and they showed no small degree of astonishment at the magnitude of the work. Practically all the pipes are now on the ground, and as a number have been placed in position the rivetters were busily engaged rivetting them together. The contractors have installed an air-compressing plant, and the work i 3 being carried out with the aid of up-to-date pneumatic rivetters. Considering the size of the pipes, which are 54in in diameter and gin thick at the bottom, the work is going forward very well, and the members of the Electric Power and Lighting Committee have every reason to a cel satisfied with the progress being made. Finally the visitors inspected the extension being made to the power house in readiness for the installation of the new 3000 k.w. unit which will bo supplied by the pipeline now in course of construction. The concrete walls are about half up, arid in a few weeks’s time the structure will be roofed. Tho foundations for the new unit will be laid in this extension, and they will be completed. in time for the installation of the generating machinery as soon as it is landed. A very large number of men are employed on the various branches of the construction work, and the township bears quite an animated appearance. Before the homeward journey was started afternoon tea was served, and the Mayor and Cr Shaddock took advantage of the opportunity to extend a welcome to the visitors. Mr J. Watson (Mayor of Port Chalmers) and Mr J. W. Dove (Mayor oc St. Kilda) replied, congratulating the City Council on its enterprise and foresight, and emphasising the important part which the Waipori power station is playing in the development of the city. The road was m good order, and the cars made the journey each way without mishap of any kind. After having spent a very pleasant day the party reached Dunedin about 7.30 n.m.