ELECTRIC POWER AT APIA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16210, 7 December 1926, Page 10

ELECTRIC POWER AT APIA

TENDERS IN NEW ZEALAND. Arrangements have been completed for (he installation of tho hydro-elec-tric power scheme at Apia, and tenders for the plant are being called in New Zealand. They will close next week. Details of the scheme were given by Mr. J. G. Meidecke, civil engineer, of Apia, who returned to Auckland after a visit of inspection to Arapuni. He said if was intended (o harness Vaisigano stream, which flowed from mountains in the interior of the island for a distance of about five miles to the coast. The amount of fall from tho proposed headworks to the site of the powerhouse, which would bo erected at Magigi, was 190 ft., and in the initial stages 100 k.w. would be generatj-d. Provision was being made for a considerable development later on, and plant that was being ordered! would have a generating capacity of 2200 k.w. The power would be utilised chiefly in the (own of Apia, but there would also be a demand from various native villages, where it was expected) that small lightinn- plants would be set up. Mr. Meidecke said that the total cost of harnessing the Vaisigano stream and necessary equipment would be £15,000. ft was proposed to sell | power at 9d a unit for lighting, and 6d per unit for power. There would also "foe a reduced charge for cooking I purposes.