Delay To Laying Of Cook Strait Cable

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30125, 8 May 1963, Page 14

Delay To Laying Of Cook Strait Cable

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, May 7. Because of failures in the new plant installed by British Insulated Callender’s Cables, Ltd., for the manufacture of the power cable designed to span Cook Strait, it will now not be possible to lay the cables until late in 1964. This advice was received tonight by the Minister of Electricity (Mr Goosman), who said he was sorry the company had met with difficulties but that the delay would not affect the coming into operation of the Cook Strait power system.

“British Insulated Callender’s Cables, Ltd., have intended all along to lay the submarine cables for the inter-island connexion in Cook Strait during the good weather in the early months of 1964,” he said.. “The company has just advised me that parts of the new plant specially installed fo. the manufacture of these cables have not performed entirely up to expectations. “This has caused a delay in the completion of the first of the three main continuous

lengths, which in turn makes it certain that the cables cannot be laid in the early months of 1964. It must be remembered that the scheme as a whole is not planned to be ready for commissioning and commercial service until April, 1965.” The company is now planning to lay the cables towards the-end of 1964. when the weather is favourable. This will still be in ample time to meet the planned date for commissioning and putting the whole scheme into commercial service.