KAWARAU DAM

Evening Star, Issue 19783, 6 February 1928, Page 6

KAWARAU DAM

NO OBJECTION TO CLOSING INSURANCE AGAINST POSSIBLE DAMAGE ESSENTIAL (Special to the ‘ Stab.’] WELLINGTON, February 6. The Public Works Department offers no objection to the Kawarau dam being closed to take advantage, of the abnormally dry season, but it requires the former safeguards to be renewed. The most important is an insurance cover of £40,000 against the possibility of damage due to the operation of the dam. This security is said to have been allowed to lapse after the closing of the <l<u had demonstrated that there was no apparent risk of damage. However, if the dam is to be again closed adequate security must be provided. DIRECTORS MEET TO-NIGHT. This announcement doubtless comes as a surprise to the Kawarau Company, which has not received even a formal acknowledgment of receipt of its first rcciuest from the Minister of PublkTWorks. The understands that when the directors made their - request for permission to close the dam gates the question of the required provision for indemnity against damage from the held-back waters of Wakatipu had net been discussed. A meeting of the directors is fixed for to-night, when the question will be discussed. Unless a number of companies give a definite promise to work the Kawarau, the directors will probably decide that the providing of insurance—rather a costly thing—would not bo worth while.