PROGRESS AT ARAPUNI.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4808, 9 February 1925, Page 1

PROGRESS AT ARAPUNI.

PREPARATORY WORK IN HAND. A HIVE OF INDUSTRY. Activity at the Armstrong-Whit-worth works at Arapuni is great, and all the departments of work preparatory to the actual construction ofi the monster concrete dam seen to have their gangs of workmen. Lately a trainline for practically the whole length of the “island” (on the west side of the Waikato River) has been under construction. It • starts from alongside ■ the spillway bridge and runs north for about 1% miles to a sandpit, where huge deposits will be utilised in connection with the concrete dam construction. Though tne tramline is not completed, it can be readily seen that the structure will be .substantial and able to withstand constant haulage of huge quantities of sand. Sleepers and rails already placed are substantial, and the formation and grades are’ not mere patchwork. During the past few days, about thirty patent tip-trucks have been landed on the site, and are being as,smebled by a gang of fitters. A petrol engine is also located there in readiness for the task of hauling.

Three shifts of workmen are employed on some of th eundertakings, notably the excavation of a site for the powerhouse, and also for the diversion tunnel and the huge concrete abutments for the dam.

The excavations for the powerhouse site, some four chains upstream from the low-level bridge, are proceeding apace. Part of the existing roadway has had-to be blas.ted away, and wayfarers are at present being warned that the thoroughfare at this point is dangerous pending completion of the widening work.

The drain made some weeKs ago along what will be the spillway has had the effeet of drying that area noticeably, for previously the channel was a veritable bog, while now there is little sign of dampness.

A large army or workmen, is. engaged cutting deep clefts into the high rock walls on both sides of the river opposite the site of the dam for the enormously strong abutments. The work proceeds in three shifts, one gang taking up the implements immediately the earlier gang’s time is up. Electric light and power- is reticulated all over the place, and a view of the locality after nightfall presents a most novel and interesting scene.

By the courtesy of Mr E.M. Finlayson, the writer was shown over his firm’s huge ramifications to l gain an idea of the vastness of the enterprise entailed in provisioning the army of workmen and many of their dependants. At. present there are between 350 and 400 workmen engaged at Arapuni and vicinity, andt he problem of feeding them is no small undertaking. Mr Finlayson mentioned that the firm’s outlay has already run to nearly £lO,OOO. Commodious eatinghouses have been provided, with all the necessary furniture and “implements,” while there are bakehouses, a butchery,.kitchens,:several acres of cottage garden, and . many other adjuncts to the enterprise. The stores operated by the firm are truly einporia and universal providers, for there is such a variety of clean fresh stocks on view that it would be hard to think of an article required by the customers that could not be supplied in a “jiffy.” Mr Finlayson made it clear that their undertaking is not-yet at its full capacity, for enlargements and alterations to meet the increasing trade demand are imperative and must be put in hand without delay.

Other business enterprises besides Finlayson’s are operating at Arapuni. There are general stores, a butchery, billaird saloons, bootmakers, motor garages, etc., the whole making a very busy township, or rather two townships; for the aggregation of buildings is divided toughiy into two —one near the site of the dam and the other a mile further north.