HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12042, 1 May 1920, Page 2

HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER.

MANGAHAO HYDRO-ELEOTRIO POWER LEAGUE. EXECUTIVE'S REPORT. Palmerston N, April 2'Z With reference to |the Mangahao Hydro-Electric "Power scheme yonr Executive delayed their usual report pending an inspection by the president. This has now been made, and the accompanying report is largely based on conclusions formed on his visit to the works. He was accompanied by Mr Nash, M.P., and Colonel Mitchell, M.P. Mr Pield M.P. had intended to accompany the party, but was nnable to be present. Labour—About 30 men are at present at work, but this number is continually rising and falling, a very large number only staying a few days. We still think day labour should be increased to 16? as the present rates are below current rates rnling in the Dominion. Work Accomplished—So far the chief work done luas been roading. The original Tokomaru road has been greatly improved and remetalled throughout. It is hoped to finish this before thewintor sets in. From the end of the Tokomaru road, a road has been formed round the site of the Tokomaru dam to the ringe overlooking the Mangahao, a di3 tance of about four and a half miles. About three miles of this is metalled i'na road from the ridge to the bottom of the Mangahao gorge is started, and a considerable amount of earthwork done, but the rock work on Ibis is not yet touched. No Dther work has yet been done on the Mangahao site, and it will ".take six weeks before the site for tunnel piercing machinery is ready at the Mangahao end. It will be necessary also to complete the metalling of the ioad before any machinery can reach there. At the power house I site, on the Shannon side of the j mountain, a considerable amount of , excavation, etc., has been done in I preparation for erection of officers' ! quarters, men's quarters, etc. A start has also been made to propare I a tram line, etc, at the Tokomaru end of the Mangahao tnnnel, to enable the spoil to be removed to a spot below the dam site. The sawmill is now woruing, and timber is being cut lor men's quarters, etc, but the breaking down saw is not yet in position. The engineer in charge not being present, the position re machinery could not be as certained, but we presume some of this is on the way, as it was said to be ordered several months ago. Labour—This is the key of the situation. So far as we can learn, men accustomed to the work are not now complaining as to the price offered for contract work, and for men willing to work good pay is available. But the great drawback is the accommodation, which is at present very insufficient. Notning is available form in but the ordinary tent, with no fireplace and no provision for drying clothes, etc. As you are aware the weather in the midst of the mountains is continually misty and often, rainy, and such conditions are not conducive to comfort. The Only place the men have to meet on wet davs is in the cook house, which is scarcely possible to use for the purpose. It is intended, we understand, to improve these conditions without delay, but as it is now a year since the work started, it is not altogether creditable to the department that such an unsatisfactory position has been allowed to remain so long. As it is, it will be scarcely possible to remedy things before winter is on, and we fully expect to hear of a further depletion of labour owing to dissatisfaction with the conditions. A word of praise should be given here to the Y. M.C. A., who have a live energetic secretary on the spot in the person of Mr D A Mortou. They have a large marquee erected at the Tokomaru Camp, and are doing their best to provide a little social life for the men. Mr Morton would welcome gifts of literature, etc., and we strongly endorse his plea. Any gifts of money, ere., forwarded to Mr Morton, care of Mangahao Works, Shannon, would be used by him for the benefit of the men in fitting up marquees, etc. While, however, giving all credit to the Y.M.0.A., your committee feel this matter should have been attended to earlier by the Department. Under present day conditions it is useless to expect to keep up a sufficient labour force unless the conditions of life for the men outside of working hours are reasonably satisfactory, and we have no hesitation at all in stating emphatically that at present that is not the case at Mangahao. This is particularly unfortunate, as at present 200 to 300 men could be easily and profitably employed. It seems to us now advisable that the department should put on itß own teams, instead of depending entirely on hired teams, which are not available in sufficient numbers. Four times the number now at work could be profitably used. Yonr committee cannot but repeat the disappointment expressed fin their previous reports re the slow progress being made with this great national unertakitg. While recognising the drawbacks the department are labouring under, owing to abnormal labour conditions, shortage ot materials, etc., we are still ol opinion greater progress could and should have beer, made Too much time is wasted in decisions on small matters, and necessary supplies are unduly delayed We commend to the notice of the new Minuter for Public Works tho state of affairs at Mangahao and she slow progress beitg made, feeling sore that he will tako the matter in hand, knowing as we do, he is fully advised as to the great need of the provision of hydro-elec-tric power to enable a fuller development of the economic and industrial life of the nation, more especially in view of the troublous times which must come when the present time of inflation ends.