LAKE COLERIDGE FAULT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 178, 28 June 1938, Page 11

LAKE COLERIDGE FAULT.

QUESTION OF REPAIRS. DIFFICULT UNDERTAKING. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, June 27. The Minister of Public Works (Hon. R. Semple), adding to his statement on the position at Lake Coleridge, Where a leak has developed in the adit tunnel leading off the main tunnel between the lake and the surge chamber at the power house, said that the only safe course to take now was to line the tnnnel with ferro-con-crete. AVhile the present situation was allowed to remain the station would always be in jeopardy. “The present construction might last six months and it might last live years, but its security is decidedly indefinite,’ Mr Semple said. “The grouting of the tunnel provided no real remedy for the trouble. We will have to tackle the job of making repairs that will be lasting and permanent. This will cost a great deal of money, but it is better to spend money on this work than to run the risk of losing the station.” The Minister added that he hoped the plant wOnld be able to remain in operation until two additional generating units could be obtained for the Waitaki station. With the output from Waitaki augmented in this fashion, the work of making repairs at Lake Coleridge could proceed without difficulty. Immediately on his return to Wellington he would make all arrangements possible to expedite the delivery of the new units to the Waitaki station. These Were not expected for two years, but it was possible that their construction and delivery could be speeded up. Mr Semple said he estimated that it' would take six months to place a ferrO-cohCrete lining inside the existing tunnel at Lake Coleridge. It was imperative that the work' should be put in.hand as early as possible, and it had to be done for the protection of the interests of the people. Reports from the engineers indicated that nothing really serious was to be feared as yet, but should there be any sign of the trouble growing worse it was possible that the station would have to be closed down and the job of tackling the repairs commenced at once. While the cracks remained there was a constant, menace that the water would break through. In shingle country of the type at Lake Coleridge a breakaway by water could havoc. A seHous blunder liad been made in the original construction, and the weakness in the tunnel could only be repaired by building a new liilibg that Would be capable of re- , sisting the tremehdoUs pressure ex- , erted in the heavy Country around the