LAKE ELLESMERE.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20563, 3 June 1932, Page 11

LAKE ELLESMERE.

SCHEMES OP DRAINAGE DISCUSSED. CHAMBER OP COMMERCE REPORT. Various projects for the permanent drainage of Lake Ellosmere were discussed in a report which the Unemployment Committee of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce presented at a meeting of the Council last night. The committee stated that it did not feel competent to maka an 7 recommendstions to the Council. The report stated:— "From information submitted to the committee it appears that several projects for the permanent drainage of the lake have been considered at various times. The magnitude of the undertaking of lowering the lake to a permanent level is indicated by the following figures culled from one very comprehensive report." "Three schemes are reported on; they are:— (1) To Sumner, via Halswell and Heathcote. (2) Through Lake Forsyth to tjie sea. (3) Through the Little Rakaia. , i Effect of Drainage. "Tie area is 75,000 acres. Drainage to, three feet from high level would uncover 10,000 acres; to four feet, 12,800 acres; and to five feet, 15,600 acres. The estimated quantity of water flowing into the lake is 54,000,000 cubic feei per day, or 625 cusecs." The three different* schemes were then touched on:— Sumnei Scheme—The Sumnar scheme involves a cutting of 15 miles, three miles of which would be SO feet deep, and the cost many years ago was estimated at £ls millions. It would probably -affect the City's water- supply . and might prove ineffective. Lake _ Forsyth Scheme- I —Through. _ Lake Forsyth to the sea involves cutting half a mile long, 39 feet deep, and li miles 30 feet deep. The cost was estimated at £125,000, pin* the cost of channels draining land adjoining the lake, and if the later project of a tunnel under the hill is proceeded with this expenditure would be ad ditional. Eftkaia Lagoon—Thp lagoon is often as high as the lake and not sufficient fall available except as a of very expensive works. "In view of. the information quoted and the expenditure which would be involved, the committee does not feel ' competent to male any recommendation to the Council," concluded the report. Council's Discussion. ' Mr A. F. Wright said that apparently the installation of electric pumps, which appeared to be the m os t feasible project of all, had not been considered. Pjobably the question of finding relief work had been paramount. , ' The chairman of the committee (Mr A. O. Wilkinson) said that to drain the lake into the sea presented engineering »• difficulties on account of the shingle. Mr W. Bottrcll said that the committee thought that the investigation required much care and thought. The" Government are now making enquiries preparatory to bringing down ft report which would be more expert than the Chamber could give. Mr Wright suggested that in view of the forthcoming Government report the committee's report dealing with'tfce lake should be eliminated. The report W9S adopted- - .