ELECTRICAL ENERGY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 12027, 31 October 1904, Page 10

ELECTRICAL ENERGY.

■ ♦ ; — NXW ZEALAND'S WONDERFUL -POSSIBILITIES. MR HANCOCKS REPORT. (SPECIAL TO THE "rBESS.") WELLINGTON, October 30. Mr <L. M. Hancock, M.1.E.E.,' the American electrical expert appointed by the Government to report on New" Zealand water power for the generation <f electricity, has presented his report, which has been laid on the talble-of the House. Mr Hancock begins by referring to the transmission of electrical energy in America, and predicts that when system* are installed in New Zealand the demandsof consumers will be greater than the supply of power. In regard to New Zealand -po\v,er schemes, he Kays : —"It seenis that there should be some focal points selected where initial work could be commerced, and the maximum results achieved with the minimum of expense of tune and money." Re has triad** a study of the localities visited with this in view, and suggests a method of carrying out thewcrk with reference to the district)! mentioned in tli? preliminary report. With regard to the Wellington district, ho recommends that examination of tho streams on the ea<»t *ile of the Tararua and Ruu.hin-j Ranges be made between Wellington and Napier, to see if some place cannot be found that will yield live or ten thousand horse-power. If this cannot be found, ho recommends the development of the Waikaranoana. .In the Auckland district the Wairua Falls should b-:i first examined, then the Okere Falls, and then some one of the Waikato locations. In the Napier district Waikarcmoana is to bo developed. Tn the Chris-tchureh district Like Coleridge should be developed. In the Dunedin district a. ."search should bo made fur a, location within fifty miles, where from five to ton thousand horsepower can be developed. If this cannot be found arrangements should be made to develop the .power •available at Hawea. For Oamaru, and perhaps Tiinaru, connection should he made- to the "Hawea development, or, if that is not put through, a location should be found that will give 5000 horse-power. Mr Hancock lias tabulated the data, obtaired,' and from this I give the horsepower that will bo available from tho principal sources as follows:—Wairua and M;.ngakahia 11,000, Okere Falls 75,000. •Huka Falls 34,840, Aratiatia Rapids 62,480, Orakei and Korako 56,800, Rainbow Falls 17,000. Atiamuri 28,400, Rotoairi 5000, Rangitikei 48,710, Manawatu 5580. Waik.iremoana 78,600, Wairoa 7384, Waimakariri 20,440, Lake Colerideo 94,677, Rikaia 56,800. Like 'Heron 8520, Rangitata 34,080. Opihi 817. Lake Tekapo 320.396, Lake Ohati 164,720, Ohau River 65.888, Like Pukaki 38.624. Waitaki 60,321. Clutha, 124,960, Manuherikia. 23,288, Lake Haw-.-n, 119.961, Lake Wanaka (not stated), Lake Wakatipu 68,160, Shotovor 8520, Lake To Anau 190,848, Like Manapouri 204.480, Waiau 21,520. Waiau 24,935, Lake Monowai 17,040, Otira 9CBB, Holiest on 13,632, Lake Kanieri 704, Inanuahuu (not stated), Buller 22.720. Rotoroa- 34,080, Wairati 28,400, Awatere 5680. METHOD OF DEVELOPMENT. ''Besides the locations herein lUted,"' he says, "there are doubtless numerous places where power can be developed that have not been thought of as valuablo sites. Search will have to bo made to find these. For tho initial development for nearly all the large places it would be far preferable • to .work up some smaller amount of power at a place not very far away, say, within fifty miles of the' large centres. Thus, whilo getting work started in a minimum of time and expense, you would also start tho growth of the idea, and people would become more and more nccrstomed to the service, You would also save any long negotiation of large loans to carry out thcgreater work. You would bo doing also "what is exceedingly neowsory, that is training your own people to do this class of work. While tho cost per horse-power developed in the larger, plants in very reasonable, if tho whole amount available is utilised, the initial interest charge is very heavy for tho plant to carry, if only a small portion of the power is utilised, which is sure to be tho condition with the majority of the places examined. Til Li list of places examined is a wonderful showing for a country of this eize. The fact that the North Island, of only 45,565 square miles, and the South Island, with only 59,054 square miles, contain such a wealth of power, speaks volumes for their future." ! ELECTRICITY AND INDUSTRY. Mr Hancock then goes on to speak of the improvement effected in the industries of metallurgy and manufacture by cheap coal, and points out that the reign of coal is now challenged by electricity, whicti lim made terrible slaughter among those who have resisted it. "What the ultimate result will be," he says, "no one can foresee. Thus the development of your water -powers—your white diamonds—will not injure any industry. On the contrary, you will find a still greater demand for coal, wood, and all kinds of fuel. The reasons for this aire many. The main bno Li that works of this kind bring into existence trades and industrial undertakings that are ranked as manufacturing, and this is what New Zealand needs. She can produce food and clothing of unequalled quality and quantity, considering her area,"now she must encourage classes that will consume these products, so that she will not have to go so far for a market. In other words, create o,t home as far ?s possible a market for your products, encourage manufactures, make concessions to them for a term of years to get them started, if necessary give them land, remit their taxes, and in different ways encourage industry. With the cheap power available wonders can Ix; accomplished for the colony. It has been found in a good many cases that industries spring up in a locality where there is an abundance of cheap power, and judging from conditions in the colony, this will be true of any development you may put- in. Every city, town, and hamlet can ba furnished not only with power and light, but with heat also. The supplying of power from large where they pais through the small towns, at rates that, could not be, thought of hitherto, will help in a wonderful way to build them up. Industries ■ that thrive, best in small plan's will be encouraged, tho population will be better distributed, and many of the evils of a crowded city avoided. This immense supply will enable each home in the colony to enjoy luxuries that in other countries are enjoyed only by the rich. The home, when electric cooking, heating. and lighting are installed, will be a model of convenience and comfort. . The servant question will be nearer solution, and drudgery largely done away with. In the f?ctory and shop electricity will do the work that is.now so wearing, and in every department of life applications ,of it will be used that -will bring about material advancement to a wonderful degree." "The manufacturing for all Australasia and a great portion of the Orient," «=ays Mr Hancock, "could be done here better and cheaper than anywhere else, , so near these markets. With this unlimited power and having a climate nut surpassed and hardly equalled anywhere, and suited to a degree to manufacturing purposes, the possibilities of the colony axe almost beyond the bounds of fancy. Tho opening of the Orient and the demands it will make on civilised nations wifl be something marvellous. If New Zealand wants to share in this business you must prepare here for it; your products should be exploited carefully, and instead of shipping away any raw material it should all be put in a finished condition at ihoine. Your wool should all be in a condition for immediate use, instead < f being shipped in the bale. It must be worked up somewhere, why not at home?"

CANTERBURY SOURCES. Mr Hancock deals, in detail with the various sources of power visited. I give his remarks on those likely to be of interest to the people of Canterbury:— ■ Waimakariri.—-"This was the first o£ the rivers with wide shingle beds to be examined and it was not necessary to an electrical transmission engineer. The flow of tho stream is ample, but when it comes to building a high dam to with-, stand tho torrent and to take the wear of the tons upon tons of silt and shingle, it gives the thoughtful man pause. Inview of the fact that there are far better places to develop power, this river had better be left to its own sweet will for the present. Mr Dobton's plan to utilise a part of the now'at the gorge bridge is the most sensible plan proposed, but his plans were for only a small development, i'or the present generation you will not need to trouble this stream. Kakaia.—"This stream we examined Immediately after the Wainiakariri. It is S'j similar in many respects that we did not spend much time on it. It has a wonderful flow of water and were it not for tho great quantities of s-hinglc moving in its channel there would bo more encouragement to attempt to utiiitu it. It will require "a high dam, and there is scarcely an opportunity to gain additional head by running races along the terraets so that all tht> head available would probably bo that created by tjie dam. These of course can only be determined by surveys. Tho most suitable plan suggested for these works wa« at the gorge, where the waggon bridge crosses it. I d« not think it advisable to spend any time on this location at present. Lake Coleridge.—"This location impressed mc as' a very valuable power location, and one whore development can be started at a minimum of expense, and a-s the demand increase*, additions, can be made at a proportional expense. There will bo no large dams to bo built, ntid m> shingle or silt to contend against. Storage can be increased as needed, and the inflow of tho hike increased as required. The surveys furnished mc are f.miurabh , , in fact more so than I anticipated, .so I have selected this location to outline a plan for service to Christchurch and its district, giving as closely as possible tho cost of the entire plant, the cost of ' operation of the plant, and the cost of energy delivered. Unfortunately tho f<x-tion.« mado and referred to on the maps were misplaced or Inst in transit, .«o that 1 did net receive them, therefore T cannot make the estimate as accurately as I. would desire.." R-angitnta.—''Thi? is very similar to the Waitnakariri. and would be equally <-xpensive to develop. A complete survey should ho made of the location selected by Mr Wilson, and reported on by !iim in December, which site iff probably the best thatcan be found, but the great cost of so high a. dam with immense quantities of shingle to fight would be a heavy and expensive affair. The shingle and silt would be destructive not only to the. dam and its parts but to the pipe, wheels, gates, and the whole of the hydraulic equipment. Besides, some of the head would have to be sacrificed to make.Mirethatthe wheels would be kept clear of it. This scheme should not bo considered for the initial development, but further study should be made of it, if it should prove to bo near to snnio great'centre of development. Thero are so many other localities where immense.quantities of power can'be developed without these difficulties, that this stream should not be considered now. l«ike Heron—' This district we wore unable to visit. However, it 'is not probable that this .can. bo.developed to advantage now on account of the long raco neoeawry to secure tho limited fall amd available energy. Then, too, there seems to bo no storage of water at tho end of the ilia, which is. very necessary to »j-----cure constant service. • The description Mr Wilson gave is very good, but if it is thought advisable to develop tliere, complete surveys will have to l» made, <so that plans can be devised for carrying out the work. I would sugg<sl. that all tho> further information possible in'regard to this district bo -secured, such as rainfall, snowfall, thunderstorms, etc." Opihi—"We spent a good deal of time on tJu's in proportion to its 'value. We could not. determine just whew it would be bw* to do development work. Surveys will have to bo made for this purpose. I would ."-uggest, JxrweWr, that if develapHv.«nt in attempted, a dam of medium height, «iy; 85fs or 30ft, bo b'uile hi. the Gorge below Pairlie, and that a flume be built along the eido of the. gorge to secure as much 'bead a» possible in a short distance, say, ono mile orkfe. I am under tho impression -that a. much bettor locality ought to be; available in this neighbourhood for an equal amount .of power that can be more cheaply developed. I would not attempt" development here only as a last resort, unless a survey should show hotter conditions tliam examination disclosed." ' Lake Tckapo—" Thie ,is a beautiful lake and very valuable as a power location. Thoro are several plana to utilise Uα waters, but surveys are not in my possession, m> that I have no means of knowing their relative merits. All of them, however, will be very expensive not very expensive per unit of ultimate development perhaps, but the investment will be very iioavy at the start, and the greater part of it, will have to be made to get any machinery in operations I do not think tho present need* warrant the spending of so much inwnoy. . Lake Pukaki--" This location is in the list of those too expensive to be developed now. There is a magnificent flow of water from this lake, and it if possible to develop a large amount of powers but the- interests of the colony do "not warrant this. There is nothing that can be dono hew but'to build a high dam and utilise tho head created by it!" LAKE COLERIDGE DLTELOPMENT. Mr Hancock says:—"This location impi«ssed mc favourably from the start, first on account of tho possibility of storage, secondly on account of head available in a very short distance, thirdly on account of the possibility of connecting the pressure pipes direct to the lake, so tliat water would be used only as needed, and fourthly on account of its nearness to a largo oentre of industry. On the whole, the surveys have more than realised my hopes. The present development recommended is that of 10,000 horse-pownr in four unite of 2£oo horse-power cadi, about one-nin-Hb of tlw maximum possible development, Thero will have to be a tunnel through the hill, the cost of which I cannot give, bet cause no sections w<-re forwarded." The inside section of the tunnel should be at leas* 30 square foet. This will provide for a development of over 25,000 horsepower", with a minimum head of 369.3 feet,' without raising the level of the lake. Ij a dam 30 feet high is erected, this can bt increased to nearly 30.000 horse-power. ' ■liave entered as the cost- of this tunnel and head-works, with pipes down to the powerhouse wall, 400.000 do]la.rs t which I thin]} ouglit to covt«r it, unless some unusual and •unforeseen contingency should arise. It i> exceedingly unfortunate that longitudinal section 1, as indicated on P.W.D. 20,697, was omitted from -the paper* forwarded tc mc. In the hurry occasioned by the approadlung holidays, it probably was overlooked. However, I have estimated the cost of all the other items from the power house to and including the sub-Mat ion.*. However, I have not counted in the coirt of the atiendajwe of these stations., as I understand you expect to sell energy t< the local' people and let them wiail it. » Detailed Cost.—The detailed cost i? given as follows:—"Generators, 2000 k.w., four of, 57,200 doJlars: exciter*, four of, 3064; tiMnsformera, 750 k.w., twelve of 42,260; switchboards and lightning ar Testers, 9501; water wheels and rigging, 75,000; <Tanef, two 25-tcn and one 1-ton, 7500; transformer water system. 1200; transformer oil system, 1000; labricating oil system, 1300; power* ltouse building, 18,000; foundations, 37,920; dwelling-bouses, 10.500; shop building, 1000; warehouse, 1000; shop tools, 5000; haulage from railway to power . cite,

1 11,283; erection of ' machinery, 9050; freight, 33,276; -wire for transmission line: for double line, 70 miles, 142,500; line eupportis, 126,000; imulatorsr, 67,200; eight sub-stations, 55,000; emergencies, ,4241} total, 760,000 doUam Allowing for cose or balance of water system. 40Q,000 do}-, lari», tJ»o total is 1,160,000 dollajre. Thb equals, per horse-power, 116 dollars.. O>st of power per liorse-power jvr annum (interot at 4 per cent.), 4.64 dollars; lahour diargca (operation), 12.73? supplied, half of 1 per cent., 0.58; thrte-quarters of 1 per oent., 0.87; depreciation, 8 jcent., 9.28; taxes 1 per ctot., 0.12; total, 2b'.22. Thie is the cost of furnishing 1 horse-power for 24 hours per day for on* .year, or for 8.760 hors*-power hours, vr a cost of 0.00335 dollars par horse-power pr hour. Now diould thero be only a period of 18 hours per day for six days in tho week, when this power could hi utilised, the cost would be proportionately greater, or 0.00502 dollars per liorse-power j hour, or .0.00669 per kilowatt. I have endeavoured to make the tigurcs not very high or very low, but I think you will find them conservative. Of coun«e' they are bawd on American practice. I am in communication with European, concerns, and shall soon be able to tell whether they could do better or not. However, the European manufacturers-have-never built any' machinery for very long distance work, and you would have considerable experimenting on your lianas. They «io magnificent work, and could in <v few years make anything needed after they had sufficient ocperii-nce. The figures presented nre based on costs of machinery that is now in operation, and which you -would know would be satisfactory from the start."