LAKE COLERIDGE POWER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18294, 10 January 1923, Page 8

LAKE COLERIDGE POWER.

WATER SUPPLY ADEQUATE.

FINAL UNIT ALMOST, READY. [BY. TELEGRAPH.-—OWN CORRESPONIifIKf.J CHRISTCHTJRCH. Tuesday. The pessimistic views held by some people regarding the likelihood „of Lake Coleridge proving inadequate to supply the water necessary to generate the 12)000, kilowatts, the full capacity of the power station as originally planned, are, it appears, not to he realised. It was in March, 1919, that the lake level was last reported to be at the normal height, 1667.05 ft., and , to-day it is fully expected that it will be again at that height. To-day's report was that the lake level was 1667.45 ft. Th:is*highly satisfactory result is due to the fact that a fair amount of rainfall has been experienced recently. '

The concrete portion of the dam at the outfall has been finished, and it is estimated that in two weeks the remainder of the -work -will be completed. The effect of this work, when finished, will bo to permit the lake level to be raised to 1670 ft.

Begarding the completion of the installation of the sixth (and final) generation unit of 3000 kilowatts, some essential equipment has not yet come to hand from America, but this will not interfere with the testing of ,the generator, v All tho connections have not yet been made, but it is anticipated that, (everything will be ready for the test in a few l days. The fourth pipe line, which is to serve the sixth generator, has been emptied after a preliminary test, and is being refilled in readiness for the final test.

With reference to the supply of current from Lake Coleridge for Timaru, the steel towers to carry the transmission lino across the Rangitata"Biver have come to hand, and work has'-, been commenced on the pile foundation for the towers. The progress of this work will depend largely on the state of the river, and chiefly its freedom from floods.

The site for the sub-station at Timaru has been pegged out and levelled. The contract will be put in hand this week. '