Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 9, May 1968
NOTES ON THE CLOSING OF HORA HORA
By NORMAN WYNN
At the time of the closing down of the Hora Hora Power Station I was in charge of the Electrical Department of the Martha Gold-mining Coy. I was requested by Mr. Lowrie the then Superintendent to proceed to Hora Hora the day before the closing to obtain any electrical equipment which might be used as spares at the mine. The machinery in use at both places was all Siemens Gear which had been sent out by an Engineering Company, and installed by Mr. Walder who came from Switzerland. The place was in a state of being dismantled, and I have always regretted that I was unable to be present at the final scenes but there is some recompense in having in my possession some photographs of the plant and also of the closing ceremony.
Editor's note: Mr. Wynn served his apprenticeship with the Waihi Company from 1929. Apart from the War Years when he was with the Forces, he continued as a mine electrician, being in charge of the plant from 1943 till 1947, when he joined the Thames Valley Electric Power Board. Since 1935 he has had his own business at Te Aroha, and being a keen photographer has been of great help to our Society.
Mr. Wynn recollects prior to the flooding of the powerhouse at Hora Hora the roof, although remaining in position had been severed from the building in the hope that ultimately it might float off, thus making the retrieving of valuable machinery a possibility. However this did not eventuate and apparently the building and machinery are still intact, though no doubt deteriorated.