ARAPUNI WORKS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1930, Page 5

ARAPUNI WORKS

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

HAMILTON, ’June 9

Strict economy in the use of electro power will require, to be exercised by the power supply authorities, in consequence of the closing down of Arapuni.

In a statement -issued this evening, T. McLennan, district* electrical engineer of Hamilton, said that a reduction of 10 per cent would be made on Wednesday or Thursday in the amount of current available to the different sub-stations of the Public Works Department. Hp would inform Power Boards soon as to the time at which the reduction were required to be made. It was made known, he added, that unless the load was reduced to the amount of power available, the'' Department would - be compelled to reduce'it either by lowering the voltage or by cutting off, the power. did...

ARAPUNI DAM.

LOWERING THE WATER, i

AUCKLAND, June 10;

Any remaining fear of a disastrous flood in Waikato oyb'fe to trouble at Arapuni, has now. been allayed, water in the head race being steadily lowered and. in two days the race will be empty. The stoppage of the hydro-elect tie works places tlie province in bke. position it occupied before Arapuni was Pitched in, and all standby plants will be worked ,to the fullest capacity to supply the demuud of the nin e power districts concerned *-i

The breakdown has ©mpliassied the necessity for linking Arapuni with Waikaremoana, which work though started, may take two years. The cause of the trouble is still unexplained. but ’by to-morrow the spillway should be clear of water and a complete examination will then be practicable. It may then be possible to ,say how long Arapuni plant will be out of action. Possibly the repair work will take mom if*, for the engineers are said to be dbG-rinined to use the present opportunity to do other work, wjliich ■ i cannot _ be done when water is flowing over the spillway. -

The engineers are elated by the discovery that the main dam itself is in nowise affected.