ENGINEER'S ANNUAL REPORTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1915.
Waihi, N.Z., 15th February, 1916
E. G. Banks, esq.,
Superintendent.
Dear sir,
I beg to report on the work carried out in the following departments for the year ended 31st December, 1915.
MINE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
Pumping.
The water pumped to the surface during the year was :—
" C " pumping engine ... ... 85,915,450 gallons.
Electrically-driven pumps ... 317,024,241 ,,
Total ... 402,939,691 ,,
The new Turbo Electric Pumping Plant was erected at the 1,300 feet Level, No. 4 Shaft, and a satisfactory trial run was carried out in December.
In a chamber at this level the necessary main and cable capstans have been erected for handling the Electrically Driven Sinking Pumps, and these pumps will shortly be ready for use.
Power Plant.—A small amount of steam has been used for the pumping and winding engines, the majority of the power being received from our Hora Hora Plant.
The Electrical Plant has run most satisfactorily.
VICTORIA MILL, WAIKINO.
Power Plant.—No steam or gas power has been used during the year.
The Electrical Plant has run very satisfactorily, and very little in the way of repair work has been necessary.
Tramways.—The tramlines have all been kept in good order and minor repairs carried out on bridges and culverts.
Inspection of Machinery.—The Machinery both at the Mine and at the Victoria Mill has been inspected and approved by the Government Inspector.
Yours faithfully,
W. P. GAUVAIN,
Assist. Superintendent.
Waihi, N.Z., 1st February, 1916.
HORA HORA HYDROELECTRIC WORKS.
Report for year ended December 31st, 1915.
E. G. Banks, esq.,
Superintendent.
Dear sir,
I beg to report on the work carried out during the year ended December 31st, 1915.
Hora Hora.—The work of extending the groyne at the intake was finished in April, the total length now being 367 feet.
The groyne has increased the effective head of the plant nearly two feet.
The turbine gates are now operated by an electric motor instead of by hand, and a motor is also being fitted to the head gates.
The whole of the plant was carefully inspected when the station was closed down during the Christmas holidays, and found to be in good order.
The number of units generated during the year was 12,597,640.
Transmission Line.—We experienced some trouble during the year on one section of the line during heavy north-easterly gales.
It was found that during heavy gales the telephone wires at times came in contact with the main line. The telephone line on this section has been lowered and no further trouble has been experienced.
The method of attaching the main line to the insulators was found to be unsatisfactory on this section. A new method has been adopted, and since then we have had very little trouble.
Main line disconnecting switches have been installed about every five miles for the purpose of quickly locating faults should trouble arise.
No insulator troubles were experienced during the year.
General.—The whole plant has run very satisfactorily.
Yours faithfully,
W. P. GAUVAIN.
Assistant Superintendent.