BUILDING THE FEDERAL CAPITAL.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 24, 29 January 1912, Page 2

BUILDING THE FEDERAL CAPITAL.

A GREAT SCHEME. ifcEOTRJC POWER AND BRICKWORKS. The Federal Department of Home Affairs is about to call for tenders for tha installation at the Federal capital at Canberra of machinery which will form the first unit, of generating plant for the general electric supply of the future city, The engines are to be triple expansion, high-speed, working coupled to a three-phase alternator, whila the boilers are to be of the watertube type. If the plant is made in Australia it will be the largest of a high-speed type that has ever been locally constructed. The project is to install on the banks of Molonglo River a unit of 600 kilowatts, for the purpose of generating power. for electrical distribution to the different works during construction, such as the brickworks antf brickmaking, dam construction, tunnelling, pumping water for the water supply during, the early stages, and lighting for workmen. The demand for power in connectjon with these works will rise to the full capacity of the plant. The ppwer plant, with buildings and works, is estimated to cost £20,000. A? soon as the plant <s in working order, the water supply scheme, which hinges on it to a large extent, will bo commenced. The initial stages will form an integral part of the works for the future city. It i 8 regarded as essential 'that before largp numbers of workmen and. attendant population are attracted to the city a perma-

nent water supply should be available, and capable of being easily increased in capacity as the city grow*. This scheme will cost something like £210,000, mf»d« up of £30,000 for a weir in the Cottet River, £140,000 for mains, reservoirs, pipe tracks, and pumping stations, and £40,000 for a pipe and road bridge over tho Murrumbidgee River, including pump suction tunnel and head works. The next work to be undertaken will bs the establishment of brickworks. These are estimated to cost £30,000. It is unlikely, however, that much will be done in that direction until tho power plant is «recfced. and the water supply project materially advanced.