Overview
Sun. Jan. 28.
Drizzly rain but cleared off. At 10.30 Mr. + Mrs. Lancaster called for us with car + we set out for the Mangahao Powerhouse + Pipe Line. Got a puncture + had to call at [garge – garage?] in Shannon as car not running well + delay amounted to couple of hours. Alighted at Powerhouse site + lunched beside Mangatangi Stream, ¼ plate photos (1) Gertee paddling (2) Party at lunch (3) Mr. Lancaster boiling kettle. Then we all went up Pipe Line, Mr. Lancaster + I going ahead and
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leaving others to follow at leisure. All the small concrete piers on which the pipes are to rest are now in and excavations have been made at a number of places alongside the Pipe Line bed apparently for the placing of anchors to stay the pipe-lines where their bed is somewhat unsupported on the opposite side i.e. where the spur is narrow. On arrival at top of pipe-line we found that the pit for the Surge Chamber had been sunk down to, or slightly below the level of Tunnel No2 so we went in the tunnel to the bottom of the pit + I took a 1/2pl[ate]. photo (4) of same with Mr. Lancaster in it. A small rock-crushing + concrete-mixing plant with steep tramline electric hauler on top is now complete and a large dump of rock-debris has been accumulated for concrete-making. We walked to the top of the Surge Chamber excavation (NE no start has been made with concrete lining) + took 1/2pl. photos (5) of works at top of pipe-line + (6) telephoto of Manawatu river in flood. On return we met the ladies of the party about two thirds of the way up + as it was late they turned back with us. I inspected the Powerhouse + found it to be a very massive + complicated structure so far, the principal part already done being the foundation
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with some of the pipes in position + at one end a series of cell-like rooms of very massive construction. The pipes in the building are of iron + 3ft in diameter + these are to be held in position against the terrific pressure of the water when turned on by concrete bands heavily reinforced. 1/2pl. photo (7) of interior showing these features. Was informed that the Powerhouse when finished will be 70ft. in height. After pm. tea returned home without incident. Entertained Gertie in evening with photos + “photograms.”