HARNESSING NIAGARA FALLS.

Waikato Times, Volume 2507, Issue XXXI, 4 August 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

HARNESSING NIAGARA FALLS.

Ik the plans of the Niagara River Hydraulic Tunnel, Power, and Sewer Company arc carried out as arranged at the present lime, tho mighty power of the Falls of Niagara will bo utilised for the general benefit of mankind and for the financial enrichment of the stockholders in the enterprise. The company was incorporated by an Act of tho Legislature ia March 18S6, for the purpose of constructing a subterranean tunnel from the water level below the falls, about 200 ft under tho high bank of tho river, extending through the rock to tho Upper Niagara river at a point about one mile above the falls, where a head of 120 ft is obtained. The tunnel U then to extend parallel with the shore of the river ono and a half miles, at an average depth of 100 ft below the surface of the earth, and at a distance of about 400 ft from tho navigable water of the river, with which it is to bo connected by means of conduits or lateral tunnels. The scheme is one of gigantic propor. tioiio, and includes tho establishment of innumerable mills at the point where the power is obtained, as well as distributing tho power through electric wires to other centres, where it can be used in lieu of steam or local water power. The power is to be obtained from the conduits leading to the main tunnel, and not from the tunnel itself or from tho falls. Tho conduits will, it is contemplated, lead to wells sunk to the tunnel 100 ft below the earth's surface. In these wells will be placed turbine wheels, which aro turned by the weight of the water in the wells. Thus, it is said, the power will be uniform, because the wells will always be kept full, and as the wells aro supplied from the river there will be no variation in the quantity of the water available. The river itself being fed from tho five great lakes, will always have a uniform quantity from which to supply the conduits. It is claimed that the drain from tho river by the conduits and tunnel will not take 1 per oent. of tho water in the stream ; that is, the depth of the river would not be reduced lin. Sufficient land along the river has been secured, surveyed, and apportioned into mill sites fronting on the river and the lino of the proposed tunnel, with ample streets and" dockage to afford approach by rail and water to accommodate 238 mills of 500-horse power each, or 119,000-horse power in all, which is the estimate of tho engineers of tho capacity of the tunnel proposed to be built. This power would bo greater than all tho other water power of the country combined. The land secured for the company is two miles and a half above the falls and beyond the limits of the Government Park land surrounding tbem. The tunnel is to run under the streets of Niagara village and all of the conduits will bo located on the company's land. Tho estimated cost of construction is 3,000,000 dol, and enough patronage has already been secured, it is said, to pay a dividend on the investment. The city of Buffalo has agreed to pay loo,ooodol per annum for power for electric lights, and au electric smelting company in Cleveland has made an application for 20,000-borse power to be carried through wires. The mills are to be located so far above the falls that vessels of any draft can come to the wharves, thus insuring cheap water freights from the mills to tide water. If the project prove to be a success it is also intended to use the power in lighting many of the larger cities in that locality by electricity.