THE ARAPUNI TROUBLE.

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 342, 12 June 1930, Page 4

THE ARAPUNI TROUBLE.

MEN PAID OFF. Works to be Closed. Arapuni and the latest developments is the topic of conversation I wherever one goes. Rumours there are in plenty, but actual facts and details are exceedingly difficult to glean. Some dispute the idea that an earthquake was responsible, despite the fact that several people allege that they felt it. The diversion tunnel was opened on Sunday, and on Monday at 4 p.m. it was open to the extent of four feet. The sight presented is a most spectacular one. The huge volume of water, white crested by the force of its discharge from the mouth of the tunnel, surges down the narrow bed of the Waikato river in a crescendo of noise. This continues for some chains, but before the powerhouse is readied the water flows on placidly. Up to 4 p.m .on Monday the dam had fallen three feet.

A visit to Arapuni on Monday revealed the fact that the works are j barricaded and that access thereto iir only to the privileged few by means of permits. Various heads of ments, including the Minister of Public Works (Hon. W. B. Taverner) were in evidence, but nothing of a definite nature could be obtained. The position is, as one official put it : “ Until the water is lowered sufficiently to enable a thorough examination to be made nothing can be definitely stated.” Between 60 and 100 men received notice on Monday evening that for an indefinite period their services would not be further required. However, the men were told not to leave Arapuni.

A Putaruru Press representative visited Arapuni and gleaned the information that an earthquake had been experienced at Arapuni at abceiy 1 a.m. on Saturday. This caused a crack in the corner of the pumping station, lifting the cement from the ground. Several other fissures were opened in various parts of the hill between the spillway and the road above the powerhouse, with the result that water seepage was occurring. A rumour was current that the battery room of the powerhouse was flooded, but a prominent official said that while there was about ah of water on the floor of the room this was due to a pipe leading ■ near the battery room being blocked. The trouble was due to earth subsidence, not water pressure. A number of men were sent to Horahora to enable that station to carry a greater load in the event of Arapuni having to shut down. The official view was that, serious and all as the matter was, it was not so bad as painted.

The situation is being well watched. Access to the hill where the cracks are is not available, men being on guard to prevent visitors from encroaching. Among the visitors to Arapuni on Monday was Mr. C. H. Clinkard, M.P. Seen by a representative of the Putaruru Press after he had inspected the country wherein the fault had developed, Mr. Clinkard said it would be idle to disguise the fact that the situation presented serious possibilities. Personally he thought that the hill from the transformer or outdoor station down towards the point (near the buried forest) was in danger of subsiding. He did not anticipate any danger to the dam. It has been stated on good authority that it will be to-morrow (Friday) before the actual position can be ascertained by the engineers. It was also stated that the position is now as serious as it can possibly be. The seepage continues unabated. No change in conditions was reported yesterday. The tunnel was ] opened to s?> feet on Tuesday .and the lake had dropped about six feet altogether. Commencement had been made with driving a tunnel to endeavour to ascertain the extent of the fissures.