EROSION AT ARAPUNI.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 313, 7 November 1929, Page 4

EROSION AT ARAPUNI.

REPORT TO BOAfeD. ( * Insufficiency of InformatidA Exception to the meagreness of information supplied by the Minister of Public Works, Hon. E. A. Ransom, in reply to an inquiry concerning the Arapuni spillway was expressed by members at Tuesday’s meeting of the Thames Valley Power Board.

The Minister advised that the Department quite realised the importance of obviating any possibility of an interruption to the power supply from Arapuni, and had, for a considerable time, been making preparations to cope with any conditions that might arise. The Departmental oi—cers were of the opinion that it was extremely unlikely that they would have to resort to lowering the lake and cutting off supply to carry 4 out the protective works necessary J on the overflow channel. Mr. Flatt: I would like to see the letter that was sent to the Minister. The manager read the communication.

The chairman said he had visited Arapuni and had ascertained that there had been no further erosion since the big drop. Concreting was to be carried out as soon as possible, and in the meantime the two extra 0 penstock tunnels were being proceeded with satisfactorily. Mr. Flatt: It is due to the board to receive definite information to its request to the Minister. Mr. Price: The main issue of the letter, whether action was taken when falls of earth took place, haa been side-stepped. There is no getting away from the fact that nature was good to them. The chairman: I am quite satisfied- f Mr. Pohlen: What the public want to know is whether adequate steps were taken to protect the spillway. The chairman said that Mr. Mc-

Lennan had made statements to the press recently regarding the position. Mr. Flatt: My view is that we have certain obligations to the public. We ask for information, but we do not get it. The letter does not disclose what we ask for. The chairman’s explanation is more illuminative but is not official. The chairman: I have no brief for the Department, but I did not expect a fuller report than they forwarded. The chairman: Is there any resolution ? . Mr. Flatt: I am not going to move 0 a resolution. If I did it would be a drastic one. My opinion is that the reply is inadequate and does not make the board feel any safer than it did formerly. r The chairman said that if the members of the board desired further information it should be possible for arrangements to be made for a visit of inspection.