POWER FOR THE CITY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15923, 8 May 1912, Page 10

POWER FOR THE CITY.

LAKE COLERIDGE SUPPLIES DISCUSSED. QUOTATION IN SIGHT. Mi- Evan ■ Parry, chief Government electrical engineer, arrivedin Christchurch yesterday to confer with the Electrical Committee of the City Council regarding the probable quantity of power and lighting required by the city from the Lake Coleridge power plant now in course, of construction. The visit is a welcome one, as it will be the first occasion when anything like a' definite announcement will be made regarding the prioe of power. Air Parry spent a long time with the town clerk yesterday morning, conferring on probable quantities of power, and the question of reticulation. Later he met the Mayor, and in the afternoon lie met the Electrical Committee, when a good deal of detail was discussed, although strictly in committee. It is probable, however, that a report will bo 1 made at the next meeting of the Council. Hitherto the Council has been somewhat perturbed at its inabilitv to get a definite idea of the cost of power. This, however, could not be given until the engineers had some idea of the amount of current to be used; In the afternoon Air Parry conferred with Mr S. Vickerman, Public Works Engineer, on various phases of the power question. The route of the transmission line and the erection of sub-stations are the principal considerations at present, but the utmost secrecy is advisable, owing to the fact that land has an astonishing habit of rising in'price as soon as the_ Government begins to inquire after it. The tenders for the machinery havo closed, but tenders for the transmission poles will not close for some time. Air Parry hopes to have the works completed in two years’ time from last January, and he anticipates no cause for delay. Air Parry will go on to Lake Coleridge in the course of a day or so to inspect the works.

LAKE COLERIDGE NOTES. fFROii Our Correspondent.] May 6. During the past few days work in connection with the big electric scheme has not been very brisk. The traction engines have been able to use the roads again, with the result that three came to the lake loaded with an assortment of goods, including a stationary engine, which will be used for drawing the trucks up in the middle shaft. Timber is now on the ground, and the men’s huts are beginning to look habitable. Some men have already shifted in. The dining-room range has, been placed in position, and some degree or comfort will soon be realised. lAn engineer has arrived. He has already had the windmill into position, and wjll soon have pipes laid for the carriage of the water to the living quarters. Since last week the men on the middle shaft have reached a depth of 43ft, an increase of 17ft. The men working on this shaft have takon a contract for the work. No doubt the work will he pushed on as rapidly as possible, which'will be very satisfactory to the contractor for the tunnel works. More men have arrived for the Public "Works Department, and have been put to work at the outlet to the tunnel, excavating the around for the purpose of making a reservoir. Work has again been started on the tunnel.