Goldfield
p. 52 · Read in the full issue
Electricity For Fiji
Tavua Power Co.’s Plant Ready by End of Year
Hpayua Power Proprietary
LIMITED, which was formed in April to supply electricity to the Loloma and Emperor mines on the Tavua goldfield, Fiji, was registered in Melbourne in May.
The company announced that it will be ready to supply electrical energy and compressed air at the end of this year.
The company’s consulting engineer (Mr.
F. J. Mars) has designed a power plant capable of generating electricity to treat a very large tonnage, but units to be erected in the first place will be sufficient only to enable the main companies to treat 4000 tons weekly. The equipment is in the process of manufacture in England, where the company’s local consulting engineers (Messrs. Robert Bruce and Sons) are supervising the construction.
The plant will comprise three, each 525 KW. 750 horse power Beiliss and Morcom Diesel A.C. generating sets, and one Bei liss and Morcom Diesel air compressor set, with a capacity of 2000 cubic feet of free air compressed to 90 lb. a square inch, together with a switchboard and acces sories. The units will be added to by the transfer of the present Diesel-driven com pressor in use at the Emperor mine. The building to house the Diesel plant will be constructed of iron and steel fabrication, and clothed with asbestos sheeting.
The site for the proposed power plant has been approved, and the preparatory ground work completed ready for the arrival of the buildings and plant. The first delivery, which will be the building, left England on April 22, and arrange ments have been made for the delivery of the plant in accordance with the pro gramme of erection, Mr. R. P. Kay, who has gained consider able experience in Diesel and electrical engineering, has been appointed electrical engineer in charge of the power station, and will take up duties in Fiji early in August.
Shares in Tavua Power Pty. Ltd. are held by Emperor Mines Ltd. and Loloma (Fiji) Gold Mines, N.L. The board con sists of nominees of the two companies, comprising Messrs. W. H. Smith, E. G.
Banks, A. G. Campbell, T. R. Victor, P. F.
Cody and E. G. Theodore.