“THE RIDDLE OF THE SANDS.”

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 278, 7 March 1929, Page 4

“THE RIDDLE OF THE SANDS.”

A great deal of attention is being paid to “ the riddle of the sands ” (pumiceous) that are credited with underlying the foundations of the Arapuni dam. It is a riddle of vast importance (life being at stake, and millions sterling in property), but still it is a riddle, and one which requires the most expert analysis of a vast quantity of data, before anything like a confident answer can be given. In the circumstances, the value of the pending Ministerial report, following the present Ministerial inspection, would seem to depend mainly on what the Minister is told rather than on what he discovers by his own practical experimentation on the site. The report, therefore, that “ the Minister used a pick to test the sides of the ravine of the original watercourse ” may be regarded as a harmless piece of embroidery tacked on to an official parade. After the onerous exercise, he “ refused to express an opinion regarding the dam’s safety,” but better things seem to be expected in the coming report. It is certainly a curious position for a layman to be placed in. So far as his own discretion Is concerned, he might almost as weU be asked how much oil tmiierHcß Hie Taranaki paddocks. Caul* * layman take the responsiUllity of a coifflemnatory decision against official advice? And if he Certified everything as correct, could the Government hereafter, in the event of misadventure, he held responsible? Wellington Evening Post.