LAKE COLERIDGE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1920, Page 1

LAKE COLERIDGE

additional, power .plant. TlAlAffu TO RECEIVE CURRENT , NEXT YEAR. v WELLINGTON, June 7. A South Canterbury deputation waited upon the Prime Alii lister tins morning, regarding a supply-of power from Lake Coleridge. The members of the deputation were Alessrs J. Craigio, J. Bitebener,, and. T. D. Burnett, Al.P.’s and the Alayors of Timaru, Ashburton and Temuka. The .Chief Electrical Engineer, Air L. Birks was present, and was closely questioned by members of the deputation. He said that the present powerhouse, with tlie extensions boing made, would give, double the present output. Numerous applications were in hand for increased supplies of power, and the South Canterbury demand, which was regarded as urgent, was included in the schedule. The total applications exceeded the prospective supplies from the third 3000 h.p. unit now being installed. He, however, did not think the applicants would, ih the end, take all the power they had asked for, as it was evident that the districts had asked for more than their requirements. In view of this point, it would not be advisable to publish the individual demands at preent. For the electrification of the Lyttelton tunnel ,if that should ibe decided upon, there would be required 1500 h.p. This was not included in the present allocations. In regard to the progress made with the installation of the third unit, the material for which had been ordered in 191(5, the turbine'bad been delivered two years ago, bun the generator had just c-ome to hand. The first shipment of pipe line, was on the water, with the prospect/tif other shipments following quickly enough to allow the work to go on unimpeded. It was expected that this third unit'would he in service next winter. For the fourth unit of 4000 h.p., tenders would close on July 31st. next, and'the work would be pushed on vigorously. The transmission line to Timaru had been surveyed, and detailed plans prepared as far as Alethven. The first shipment of poles ordered in' 1919 had come to hand only a few weeks ago. It was expected that the work of erecting the line would proceed vigorously. The demands already made would absorb the whole capacity of the unit now going in, and he included in this the South Canterbury demand. He hoped that in two years power would be available from the fourth unit. There would be a chance of South Canterbury getting a share of the power from the third unit, and there was some chance of power being available in Tinu am in about eighteen months. The original plans provided for taking tile lino \to Oamaru, but be did not think, now that, without considerable extensions at. Lake Coleridge, it would be advisable to take the line oast Timaru.

Mr Massey, who received the dentation in the absence of the Minister of Public Works, said lie know nothing about file details connected with tile hydro-electric works, but lie assured the deputation that the- Government was just as anxious as they themselves to give power from this source to .South Canterbury. Never before had the need for electric power been so keenly felt as during the past two years, owing to the coal shortage that has existed for practically the whole of that time. Most of the coal mines were now working full time, yet it seemed that even with the present output and with the additional importations, there would be still a. shortage. The Government, had decided to push on the hydro-electric [lower supply as fast as possible, and ■Mr Birlcs had just given it as his opinion that power would be available for Timaru in eighteen months’ time. Ho (Mr Massey) hoped it would be possible to fulfil his promise. So far as lie was concerned, all promises made by the Government would be honourably fulfilled, unless unforeseen contingencies arose. There was no unwillingness on, tile part of the Government to go on with the hydro-electric works. On the contrary, they were considered to be the most important of all the public works in hand.