Power and art: a powerful combination for Akaroa Gallery 24 June 2003 Power and art - not natural bed fellows perhaps but in Akaroa they are just about to come together in a development which will make a 'colossal' difference to a well-used community facility. One of New Zealand's oldest power generation plants is about to be reinstalled in the Akaroa Gallery, where it was first installed in 1911. Its arrival has prompted a significant upgrade of the gallery, with the construction of a new entrance from the street and storage facilities. The building and installation work will start in May and be completed in time for the gallery's normal re-opening time in September. Chairman of the Akaroa Gallery Trust Board, Gilbert Glausiuss, says the changes will mean a huge improvement to the gallery. "We'll have more space and much better facilities than we already have. It will make a colossal difference to the gallery." For more than 20 years the gallery has held concerts and art exhibitions, and the historic building is much-loved by locals and visitors alike. The presence of the Pelton Wheel will give the gallery an additional dimension which will attract a new kind of visitor, Mr Glausiuss says. The return of the Pelton Wheel generator has been made possible by local electricity lines company, Orion New Zealand. It is the company's gift to the people of Banks Peninsula District in the year that it celebrates a centenary of service supplying electricity. Orion chief executive Roger Sutton says the Pelton Wheel's return is a fitting reminder of how much electricity has changed people's way of life over the last 100 years. "This generator provided power for street lighting which made Akaroa the envy of people in surrounding districts. In those days there were no power lines or electric appliances to make life easier for country people. "People for generations to come will be fascinated by this generator and the reminder of people's lifestyles at the dawn of electricity supply." Also contributing is ABB's Christchurch office. ABB project manager Matt Daffin says while his involvement came about by chance (he had thought that the generator had been made by an ABB parent company), he is very pleased to be involved in the project. "The generator is in very good nick, mechanically and electrically, so ABB is giving it a tidy up and will check it out to ensure it is in good order. "I'm as keen as everyone else in the project to see a little piece of history restored." The Akaroa Generating Set Trust Board has been working behind the scenes for several years to get the Pelton Wheel back into the gallery. Trust chairman Willie Rutherford says the trust bought the Pelton Wheel when it was sold by the Maruia Spring thermal resort, where it had been generating power for a number of years. "The trust brought it back to Akaroa in the expectation that one day it would be re-installed. We're thrilled that the day is getting closer," Mr Rutherford says. While the generator will not run because it requires a supply of water, it will be possible to turn it over, he says. "And we will have a full run down on its history on site so people can appreciate its place in Akaroa's past." For more information: Tas Scott
Network Development Manager
Orion New Zealand
Phone 03 363 9780
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