ARAPUNI DAM

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1928, Page 6

ARAPUNI DAM

AIAY FLOOD WAIKATO V ALLEY

HAMILTON;, Oct. 27. A- local paper publishes an alarming communication .from Air R. AV. Holmes, formerly Engineer in Chief of Public AVorks, alleging that there is ft serious danger that the Arapuni hydro-electric dam, which is enclosing a fifteen-mile lake, will he washed away, owing to the weakening of the structure of the volcanic strata both below* and round the dam site. In this event the people of the AVaikato Valiev would be fleeing for their lives. Mr F. AV. Furkert, the present Engineer in Chief, -was interviewed here on the matter. He said that he could not reply to Air Holmes until he bad been so instructed by the Minister. However bis whole attitude on reading Mr Holme’s communication was one of amused incredulity.

STATEMENT BY MR FURTvETT. AUCKLAND. October 29. An alarmist statement by Air R. AV. Holmes formerly (Chief Engineer of the Public Works Deparment) that the existence of Arapuni dam constiu.tes a. grave danger of calamity in Waikato A’alley through the structure collapsing, has dieted a statement by Air F. AV. Fu.rk.ett (engineer in chief of the Public Works Department) who says there is absolutely no foundation in fact for Air Holmes allegations. Events have proved that the original investigations by engineers appointed for the purpose gave an absolutely true index of the material on the site of the works. Nothing has been disclosed that indicates any necessity for alarm. Air Holmes’ statement he adds can only be characterised as fantastic and absurd.