LONGER ROUTE PREFERRED

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29170, 2 April 1960, Page 7

LONGER ROUTE PREFERRED

British Expert’s View (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 1. • An appendix to the consultants’ report says that the longer route (Cloudy Bay to Fitzroy Bay) is preferred by Captain O. R. Bates, a British specialist, mainly for easier operation and for less tidal chafe and vibration effect on the cables. The report contains i.lso the criticism that the supply from the South to the North Island could be cut off as a result of enemy action, especially near the cable terminations where skin-divers could approach underwater and plant bombs directly on the cables. “In the case of an attack of this nature it should be noted that failure of all three cables of the D.C. scheme would cause only partial loss of supply in the North Island, and the effect would be limiting, not crippling, to the essential industries,” the report says.

“The damage would most probably occur within the shore approaches. where recovery would not be difficult and repairs could be effected quickly with the help of a small ship. “As soon as any one of the three cables became available transmission at half power would be possible.”