ARAPUNI SIDELIGHTS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 219, 12 January 1928, Page 1

ARAPUNI SIDELIGHTS.

On Sunday Arapuni presented something of the appearance of Hampstead Heath on a slack day. At any one time during the middle of the day there must have been 400 to 500 cars parked all over the works on the western side, while those coming or going would easily have doubled this number. Little heed was paid to the rule of the road by many, and the late arrival had a slow and tortuous job to pilot his car through the serried ranks of vehicles which covered every available space on the roadside. It was a happy-go-lucky assembly, made up of all sorts of conditions of men and women and every conceivable type of vehicle on four wheels which would “ go.” There were many stalls, each of which did a roaring trade despite slightly-enhanced prices, while at any old odd corner, more especially where there was a trickle of water, parties all day long were seemingly at all stages of an al fresco repast. Arapuni at the moment is undoubtedly the mecca of the world and his wife, and to the inquirer there was ample evidence that to the bulk of visitors the huge undertaking of the hydro-electric works has plainly impressed now that it is nearing the completed stage. The delver after curios is always present in any community, and such were apparently quickly on the scene when the tunnel gates were closed. At the foot of the great dam, some 300 feet below the surrounding level, a few venturesome souls scrambled among the jagged rocks in their eager quest. No great fortune attended their efforts, though one party considered he was amply repaid for a sprained ankle sustained in the adventurous descent by unearthing a long-buried Maori canoe in a good state of preservation. Odd tools dropped by workmen into the river were also picked up, but so far no great finds have been recorded, though there is a possibility that when the aforesaid canoe is cleaned and scraped it may have markings on it which will prove it to be of historic interest. It was thought that possibly large numbers of trout would be stranded in the pools, and arrangements were made to have these transferred to the deep water above the dam. Close investigation of all pools, however, revealed few of these fish, though the canyon was said to be “ stinking ” with eels.

“ Where’s this ’ere boulder that’s likely to topple over that the Herald tells about ? ” asked one tripper loudly of no one in particular as he arrived at the new course of the river at the spot where falls have been formed. “ I don’t see none, it must have gone,” he added after a pause.

“ It’s bolder,” said a bystander tersely, with a nod of the head after the last outburst. “ Wotcher mean?” queried the first speaker in nonplussed tones.

“ It’s bolder than a boulder,” replied the informant with a smile of amusement. “ That’s it,” he added, pointing directly in front of him. “ That that ain’t no boulder, that’s a blinkin’s ’illock,” came the disgusted reply, which plainly indicated that all hopes of seeing toppling boulders pushed over precipices by the force of the waters were dashed to the ground.

He may have appeared a “ foolish virgin,” hut it was not his job to think. He had but to do or get drowned. He was a good “ doer,” for he toiled manfully with his team and mates on the Waitete flat erecting a hasty breakwater to order on top of the deposits of sand in an effort to coax the mighty Waikato along a desired channel. The waters were mounting fast in his direction when a man of experience passed along. Taking in the situation at a glance he asked sarcastically : “ What do you think you’re doing ? ” “ Working, of course.” "Yes, I know, but have you ever read your Bible? ” “ Bible 1 What the deuce has the Bible to do with building a breastwork on Waitete flat? ” “ Everything, my lad. You’re only wasting your time. Take my advice,

knock off your useless work and go home and read what happened to the silly chump who built his house on the sand.” The message thus put shot home, but as it was not 4 ‘ his to reason why ” he carried on. The fates, however, were unkind, and a sudden swish of the waters forced him to abandon his futile work and swim his horses to safely—a sadder but a wiser man.