HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9577, 31 July 1923, Page 4

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

WALMAKARIRI SCHEME SUGGESTED I’OR CHRISTCHURCH.

cfeIUSTGHUHH, July 30. The Christchurch City Council at a special meeting held in committee to-night received from Charles B. Hawley and Co., of Washington, their full report on the proposed hydro-electric development of the Waimakariii river at Otarama Gorge. The report was a most bulky document, and dealt exhaustively with, all phases cf the question. The engineers recommended the proposition, which would cost £838,000 and which would provide an initial generating capacity of 15,000 k.w. with an. increase to 22,500 k.w. by the installation of additional equipment and with an ultimate capacity of 45,500 k.w. when provision was mb defer the regulation of the stream flow. 'The average annual charges were set down at £'94,000. which included provision for depreciation, maintenance and repairs and it was claimed that the demand for current would provide revenue ample to meet all outgoings, the cost to the consumer being considerably less than the Government charges. Attached to the report . was a lengthy commentary by Air E. Hitchcock, general manager of the Aluni-c-ipa) Electricity Dept-., Christchurch, in which lie strongly endorsed the scheme proposed by the engineers and recommended that they be invited to submit proposals for preparation of designs and specifications of the complete” plant, for construction of the dam and of the under water portion of the power house and for the terms upon which they would act as consulting engineers to call for tenders in Xew Zealand for the remainder cf the plant and supervise its erection.—P.A.