ENGINES FROM SUBMARINES

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1930, Page 2

ENGINES FROM SUBMARINES

STAND-BY PLANT. AN INTERESTING ORIGIN. WELLINGTON; Nov. 3. Canterbury will shortly have its difficulties regarding 4 electrical supply temporarily-• solved by the. installation of a Diesel engine stand-by plant oil a site which has yet to be' selected. It has been possible- to secure quick* delivery of four powerful Diesel engines, because they are' already' manufactured.

Their origin, is particularly; interesting. Built by the Germans ior their submarines, they had" not 'been ihsialled when the war ended,-and'under the terms of. the peacq .treaty. Germany handed over' to ’the Allifes atj its’ shipping, > including- vessels. • and - machinery under construction. Britain’s share included a number of excellent Diesel engines intended for, submarine?; ; ; New Zealand secured , three for the Penrose standby plant, Aucklppd, and the experience in runnjng tjiese engines on’ crude oil has enabled the Public Works ,to adapt them effectively fjor- tie crude oil supplies available in the,.Dominion. Modification • of. the original cnrburetion methods was necessary, and the four engines now being prepared for shipment to Lyttelton for 'the Canterbury stand-by plant wij) be provided with sprays which have been found most suitable,.'. .• • Generators have to be mnmU'aotured, but as the design. is standard, it is not expected that the equipment of the station will be delayed. These generators are being . bujjt ;by .the A.S.E.S. Company, a large e)ectrjcai manufacturing concern with factories in England and Ewedeo. • Site of the Station. Investigations to secure .the most suitable site , for a standby station are not completed, but it is possible to construct buildings and ’machinery foundations before,the drawings arrive' from England, owing to the fyct that the Penrose engines are exact duplicates. ’ \ .