MINISTER ON SCENE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 993, 9 June 1930, Page 10

MINISTER ON SCENE

WAIKATO RESIDENTS I NEED NOT FEAR MAIN DAM QUITE SECURE THE SUE'S Special Reporter ARAPUNI, Today. The Minister of Public Works, the Hon. W. B. Taverner, arrived here at 9 o’clock this morning, and conferred with officers of the Public Works Department. In conversation with The Sun’s representative, Mr. Taverner said he wished to make it quite clear that the recent development was not in any way connected with the main dam, which he was assurred was quite safe. ‘■Residents of the lower Waikato Valley have no cause for fear of a flood,” the Minister said. The diversion tunnel four feet open was carrying away 6,800 cusecs. The crack in the spillway weir was fortunately away from the direction of the head works. Dewatering of the headrace was now providing the department with opportunity for connecting

the river below the spillway weir ;where erosion had ocurred. “It seems apparent,” continued Mr. Taverner, "that some earth movement has taken place, the visible result being an increase in the percolation, which is being carefully watched. It it not regarded as a circumstance to cause undue anxiety. ‘‘As the headrace is dewatered, a diminution in. the seepage is expected. The headrace is now being de>vatered,” said the Minister, “but there is still a sufficient head of water to permit of generation being continued. Whether generation will be continued depends how far the engineers have to lower the water level to investigate the seepage. It is possible that they may have to discontinue generation. "Dr. J. Henderson, Government geologist, is now carrying out an investigation,” concluded the Minister. La ~— • " • •‘WILD RUMOURS” NO FEAR OF FLOOD HAMILTON PREPARES Wild and foolish rumours began to circulate in the city and country districts yesterday and some people in Hamilton became rather panic-striken .quit© without cause. The Hamilton municipal authorities have arranged to warn citizens of any danger by blowing the gasworks and fire sirens three times. The Mayor, Mr. J. R. Fow, has also arranged for an emergency fleet of motor-lorries to be placed at the disposal of residents in low-lying areas should they be required. It is not expected that they will be wanted.

There is now really no danger of a fiood —the lake is being lowered slowly and the weir in the spillway is firm and solid. If a flood did occur, which is most unlikely, it would take four hours for the water to reach the lowlying areas along the Waikato. The engineers at Arapuni arc in constant touch with Hamilton on the telephone.