POWER FROM MANGAHAO.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1924, Page 4

POWER FROM MANGAHAO.

MACHINERY NOW RUNNING. SCHEME COSTS A MILLION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the House to-night the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. T. M. Wilfotd) asked the Minister for Public Works if be could say when electric current from Mangahao would be turned on, and what had been the cost up to date. The Hon. J. G. Coates said the current could be turned on at any day. The machinery was running quietly and current was being produced now. It was thought desirable, however, that everything should be in perfect working order before any power was supplied to the public, as even one hitch would cause disappointment. The first power board to which power would be supplied was Horowhenua.

The Minister added that the work had cost over £1,000,000, which was about double the original estimate, which was made before the war. Some of the contracts made in connection with Mangahao wer e made at peak prices, but they had been able to make better terms during the last few years. Mangahao was not the cheapest scheme which could have been developed, but it was selected because it was more centrally situated in relation to th e other North Island schemes.