OAMARU ELECTRICAL SCHEME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15705, 6 March 1913, Page 9

OAMARU ELECTRICAL SCHEME

REPORT BY MR BEAL. (Feou Our Own Corhesfondent.) OAMARU, March 5. The report of Mr L. 0. Beal on the power side of the scheme for providing electricity for lighting and power purposes has now beeli made public. The proposal is to utilise the existing water supply system orv an extended scale as the generating power, .and the report shows that not < only is- the proposal feasible, but that it can be carried out at a moderate cost, though the total expenditure in that direction would be somewhat heavier than the council's committee estimated. But Mr Beat's estimates provide for several contingent works not previously contemplated, as, for example, putting in extra trestles at a number of the flumes to prevent sagging under the extra load,-and raising the reservoir bank to iiic-rease its holding capacity. His total estimate, including Pelton wheels at the power house, with engineering expenses and contingencies, amounts to £13,000, but lie expresses the opinion that the council should go further and make a more permanent job at a further cost of £4000, or- £17,000 in all, _ After making full provisions for a water supply for the town, Mr Beal says that 19£ heads of water would remain for generating purposes, ajid this would- give 416 brake horse-power. Under his extended sohemo an additional 98 brake horsepower could be developed. Incidentally, he says that the scheme, which embodies a new intake free from any influence of the water from the Maerewhenua River, which is a sludge channel for the goldfield, would greatly improve the water supply. He says that all the flumes are in excellent order and the timbers in a remarkably geed state of preservation, the flumes being quite good for another 15 or 20 years. In conclusion, ho says: "I find the water race and works have been kept in excellent condition, and I see no difficulty in,carrying the schemo through in a successful manner."