HYDRO-ELECTRIC WORKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1921, Page 5

HYDRO-ELECTRIC WORKS.

NO. 2 TUNNEL SCHEME. DECISION STILL DEFERRED. There was a short discussion at last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council on the question of enlarging No. 2 tunnel at the hydro-eler--tric works. The provision of a tunnel of larger size has been suggested on account of future possibilities in getting additional water supply, and the subject has been under consideration on various occasions recently. At a meeting held a fortnight ago a motion in favor of enlarging the tunnel was held over. Last night the decision was again deferred to a meeting to be held during the week, at which further information is to be supplied to councillors. When the discussion was re-opened, Cr. W. Rbmball, who moved the motion previously in favor of carrying out. the tunnel on the large size, was invited by the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) to reply, other members o-i the council having already spoken to the resolution. Cr. Rumball said ho had not altered his views expressed a fortnight ago. Replying to questions, the resident engineer (Mr. Pearless) said it would be easier to construct tlio tunnel on the larger scale. So far the work on the enlarged size was also coming out at a lower cost than the original estimates for the tunnel.

The Mayor remarked that it had to be borne in mind that th? estimates were made on the proposal to build a larger tunnel. Mr. Pearless said that taking the prices on the basis of the present work, he believed they could complete the tunnel on the increased size at £2OOO under the estimate. As further information was sought as to the forebay and other items, it was decided to invite the consulting engineers to meet the council on Thursday.