ARAPUNI WORKS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1930, Page 5

ARAPUNI WORKS

A SERIOUS FAULT,

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, June 8

A serious problem has arisen at Arapuni. This is owing tw a fracture along the eastern bank of the overflow channel below the spillway! 'fhe crack is one extending from approximately the position of the original falls back to the junction between the spilway weir and the structure containing penstock intakes. ,

The fault is about 20 chains long, and it increases from a hairsbreadth to about two inches •' in the concrete works. < .

The gates in the diversion tunnel were opened this aftednoon. It is expected that by six o’clock in the morning the water will be sufficiently reduced to prevent any overflowing- at the spilway weir. The present intention is to maintain the .water at this level to enable the generating machinery to continue to operate, pending, an examination of the fracture. • '"t

All of the Government experts are now on the scene, and the Minister of Public- Works; Hon Mr Taverner, leaves" for '•'Auckland to-night.

A SERIOUS;DANGER.

As a precautidn&y measure against the possibility of a collapse of the spillway at Arapuni, Hamilton Borough Council decided to. .dismantle the.j recently installed ' valuable pumping equipment, and- remove it to a place of safety.'. This, equipment was installed in connection with the, £40,000 waterworks scheme. It .is estimated that if the spillway collapsed the water would rise 25 feet, but : only eight houses would be imperilled. The Borough engineer visited Arapurii yesterday and views the position as-very serious. ■ • • - * *

THE DAM--EXAMINED

HAMILTON,:; June 9

“Without qualification I can state that the > situation does - not justify any feelings of public alarm,” stated the Minister of Public VVorks. This morning the spillway dam was examined and is absolutely stable in its foundations; and quite intact except for a crack where it, joins, the concrete at the facing of the penstock inlet. It has been decided to empty the headrace for a thorough inspection, which •means that Arapuni will be out of commission for a while and power will have to be generated from Hora-Hora and the stand-by stations. There is no further movement' of 'earth noticed.