SAFEGUARDING ARAPUNI

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 995, 11 June 1930, Page 1

SAFEGUARDING ARAPUNI

Extensive Repair Work £250,000 TO BE SPENT Engineers Reach Decision ALTHOUGH it has not yet been possible to make a complete investigation of the headrace at Arapuni owing to the presence of a considerable amount of water in the race, it is understood that a decision has been arrived at regarding repairs to the headrace which will involve the sum of £250,000.

The authorities, it is understood, have decided to effect the following remedial works: —

(a) To concrete the whole of the head-race from the main dam to the spillway —a distance of about one mile—and construct side walls. (b) To concrete the cliff and face of the falls below the spillway. (c) To construct a concrete floor at the base of the falls, including the spot now covered by a pool, containing about 30ft of water. This latter work will, it is estimated, require as much concrete as was used in the big dam. After the scouring at the falls below the spillway, last August, an estimate was made of the cost cf concreting the area, as now intended, and the total was £250,000. It is probable that owing to further erosion since that estimate was framed, the cost will be proportionally greater. The situation at Arapuni today is practically unchanged. Some of the cracks have been found to have closed slightly as the pressure of the water behind them has been removed. The head-race is now very low, but it will be two or three days before it is completely de-watered. At the present time it is more or less a series of mud-flats.

cording to statements made by engineers of the electrical branch of the Public Works Department. Consumer* are asked to conserve the supply as much as possible by using the minimum for their requirements. It is considered fortunate that th?> dairying season is over, thus relievln r the supply of the milking load. This load will, of course, be reimposed about the middle of July when the new season starts and difficulties will probably be experienced then if Arapuni has not resumed the generation of power.