ARAPUNI EROSION

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1929, Page 1

ARAPUNI EROSION

PUBLIC WORKS MINISTER’S COMMENTS. (By Telegrftjph —Press Association). DANNEVTRKE, Sept. 9. Respecting the statement by Mr Holds worth, chairman of the Auckland Electric Power Board, concerning the Arapuni erosion, Mr Ransom, Minister of Public Works, said it was exactly what he had known for the past six months. Remedial measures had been taken since his Ministerial visit when He had realised, that the waterfall scour was becoming a serious menace'. At the' then rate of progress, he calculated it would take nine years for the falls to reach the spillway. Every sue-, oeeding fall at tne mouth of the waterfall came down at a greater speed on reaching the spillway. The heaviest fall took plaoci about a month ago. He then realised that there was a possibility of having to dewater the lake to enable the Public Works Department to carry out the J present work at. the waterfall. "With the idea of reducing the water going over the waterfall, the Department r had for some months shifts of men at work day and night driving Penstock j tunnels at the power house so as to divert as much water as possible h through these tunnels. There were eight Penstock tunnels to be driven when the scheme was properly comT pletcd, but he only proposed to put through four of these for power purposes, which it was thought would meet the existing position. At present, tunnels Nos. 7 and 8 were being '» pushed on with a view to diverting as much water as possible. Hie by-