KUMARA WATER RACE. EXTENSION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1172, 6 July 1911, Page 6

KUMARA WATER RACE. EXTENSION.

A FLEXIBLE-JOINTED PIPE LINE. (By Telcsraph— Press Associations Greymouth, July 5. The most difficult stage ill connection with the Kuruaru water race extension by an inverted syphon two miles across the valley of the Teramakau River was completed this week by the laying of 650f1. of thirty-inch heavy cast-iron pipes, flexible-jointed, from specially designed pontoons on to tho bed of the swiftlyflowing Teramakau, which is considered, when in flood, to be the most, formidable river in the South Island. The work done is of a pioneer character, being the first attempt m the Southern Hemisphere at such a method of laying an important main. In America several flexible-jointed pipe lines have been submerged on the bods of sluggish rivers or harbours, but 110 such river as the Teramakau has ever been attempted before. The stiff of the Mines Department, under the superintendence of Mr. .Frank Reed, Inspecting Engineer 01 Mines, who designed tho work, carried it out in eighty hours. A banquet was tendered to Mr. Reed at Kumara last night, when highly eulogistic speeches were made by tho Mayor (Mr. Murdoch), Messrs. T. Seddon, M.P., .1. Park, and by leading business men of Wnstland. Mr. Reed gave the Hon. Rodcrick M'Kenzie, the Minister, the credit of suggesting Hie scheme, as he condemned the extra cost, also the temporary nature of a pip? bridge. This extension of the wafer race means fifty cubic feet of water per sccond is available at high pressure to work the auriferous alluvia', areas and the northern terraces of the Teramakau and tho slopes of the Greenstone lfiver, both noted for auriferous wealth.