HYDRO-ELECTRIC EXTENSIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1920, Page 5

HYDRO-ELECTRIC EXTENSIONS

PROGRESS REPORT. ' The following progress report (No. 3) was received by the Borough Council last night from the engineer? (Messrs Blair Mason and Leo), on the work in connection with Contract No. 1, up to February U, 1020:

Intake.—The excavations for the' intake works are practically completed down to the level of top o'f the intako chamber. On the 10th January a fall of earth took place, more or less completely blocking the (|eep hole in the river for a distance of about 10 feet from the sandstone ledge. The recent heavy floods in the river have scoured a large proportion of-this material away. One of tHo tip truc!« supplied by the Council was also washoo away.

Within the next few the contractor should have the works' set'out' ready for the concrete. '

Outlet—The excavations are completed and work is now boirig carried out onthe concrete wing, walU and floor. Tunnel.—A start was made to drive the tunnel on the 12th Janiiary,and on the 27th": 82 feet was completed when work was stopped owing to the small falls occurring. On the 4th inst. start was tnado to put in the concrete lining, and on the. 14th inst. 82 feet had been completed. Various.—A quantity of cement has come to hand (tnd further supplies are due in a few days. These will be kept in stock for the intake Works.

A Ventilating fan and necessary pipes have been purchased and will be erected a* soon as the power is obtainable, which will bi< in a few days. The balance of the wooden yaila are to hand and all the sleepers cut. The amount of accounts for progress payments for the period was £709 10s lid.

A further report was rrcovied from t'i<> engineers in regard to tl.c question of connecting No 1 tmnifl and Ko. 2 Tunnel by a viaduct capable of carrying 150 cubic feet of water per stat* ing that they had carefully gone over the ground and had a survey made and route located for the larger race, which avoided as far as possible, sliding ground and also the necessity of using timber fluming. The estimate v/as as follows i 650 feet pipes across Manganwhoe, £3102; 3952 feet earthea race, spillway, bridging pipes across rim, etc., £3873; total, £7035; allowance for soft ground, £1500; grand total, £7595. '