The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND FRIDAY. JUNE 27. 1930 BAD NEWS ABOUT ARAPUNI

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1009, 27 June 1930, Page 10

The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND FRIDAY. JUNE 27. 1930 BAD NEWS ABOUT ARAPUNI

FOUR geologists liave confirmed the opinions and fears of any * four or even of forty thousand laymen about the seriousness of the trouble at Arapuni. If anything different at all these experts have gone farther than inexpert observers in revealing not only the earth faults and fractures of the ground above and about the hydro-electric power-house, but also the extent of the present futility of the enterprise. Arapuni lias been thrust out of service for a year or two at the least. Unstable as water it shall not excel for a long time. Conditions at the stricken works are much worse than even many pessimists had visualised or imagined. The geological investigators have found that the fairly extensive block of country near the penstock tunnels, between the spillway and the power-house has moved in a mass toward the gorg’e in which the Waikato River formerly ran before it was dammed, thus developing a crack in the earth right along a vital portion of the territory where electrical energy for the Auckland Province was generated. Runaway water poured into the fissure, and its pressure worked the mischief that brought about A rap uni’s temporary failure. The movement bent the block, including the power-house site, progressively toward the river. It is not necessary to discuss technicalities in the phraseology of the geologists. Enough to say that the severe movement means.that the power-house was imperilled by it. So far, it has affirmed that the foundations Of the structure have not been fractured, but it is admitted that the building has been cracked across its widest part and around the supports of the heavy generators and turbines. As to causes, the geologists are not and could not have been emphatically definite. Such conclusions as they have arrived at are necessarily based on theory reinforced by expert observation. It is therefore possible that some of their opinions may be out of alignment with actual causes. So they have been content to submit several alternative explanations to account for the original rupture. Only one of these may be noted with special interest. This is the reference to the possibility that the stx-ess was caused by an earthquake wave which, because of the fact that the power-house and penstock head were rigidly tied, may have precipitated the rupture. It is pointed out, however, that against that theory must be placed the lack of observation of any such tremor. A man living in a hut near the penstock head had said he felt earth-tremors, hut no one else in the locality apparently at the time had had a similar experience. If a slight earthquake was the real cause of so much damage, serious enough to throw Arapuni out of commission for an indefinite period, what would have been the result of even one of New Zealand’s normal shocks along its seismic belt. Perhaps it were well not to dwell imaginatively on. the possible havoc of such an occurrence. There was not available to the geologists any evidence which might have supported an opinion that the present grave trouble at Arapuni could have been anticipated and safeguarded against. “The whole occurrence might well be unforeseen and due to an unexpected weakness of the support of the whole block which has moved.” Thus, in the meantime, blame must be put upon forces beyond engineering control. But the geologists observe that the supporting material is only just strong enough to withstand the weight of the overlaying rock without failure. “Further buttressing appears to be necessary to prevent a recurrence of the movement and leakages from the forebay.” Was the strength of the supporting material adequately tested before the works were completed by the Public Works Department, and why was such buttressing as was provided not stronger? The Government has taken the right course in seeking the advice of an overseas expert engineer. And it also ought to go ahead with the appointment of a competent commission. It should, however, smother the silly proposal that members of Parliament might form a commission of inquiry. Time may reveal that many politicians will be called upon to answer for some of the causes of Arapuni’s grievous failure. PARLIAMENT IS OPENED A DAY or two ago the Governor-General praised the Press of New Zealand for its honesty. In a desirable exercise of that virtue it should be explained to those unfamiliar with the inner wheels of State occasions that Lord Bledisloe was not responsible for the policy speech with which he opened Parliament at Wellington yesterday. It is customary in such circumstances for the representative of the King merely to read the formal statement of his political advisers. That having been made clear, it can be said frankly, and without misunderstanding, that the Speech from the Throne yesterday was a poor one, its poverty intensified by its length. As an outline of the Government’s aims it was uninformative to a degree, revealing nothing not already known, and stopping short on each indication of policy. In the main it was a reiteration of the vague but politically courageous declaration by the new Prime -Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, that the Government intends to be prudent in enterprise, economical to a degree in State expenditure, and ruthless in departmental savings and retrenchments; also, in spite of everything, to remain as enterprising as Parliament may permit it to be. Until the details of the foreshadowed legislation have been submitted to the country, any discussion of the Government's intentions would be so much wasted time. It may be observed, however, that, unlike the troubles at Arapuni, those of the Administration are not all attributable to such unsubstantial scapegoats as “unforeseen forces beyond human control.” In a comparatively short period of office the United Government has allowed expenditure to run far ahead of reason, and the pressing need today is for a wise and firm control of the financial flood-gates. The total sum involved must be reduced to a reasonable level if taxation is to be held within the bounds of sanity, and the principles of rigid economy must be drummed into every spender of the country’s money. Incidentally, it is to he noted that the Speech from the Throne included a reference to the withdrawal from office of Sir Joseph Ward. The country as a whole will echo the sympathy expressed by his Excellency. Apart from the Vice-Regal speech, it was clear yesterday that members of Parliament were avid for work and eager to put their questions. This is a good sign and, if the spirit disclosed be maintained in competent practice, the country will be more inclined than it lias been for a long time 10 applaud political services. Meanwhile, taxpayers must be content, to wait impatiently while Parliament marks time and forms fours. Already it is plain that, in accordance with general precedent, the verbal formalities of its opening will get the business of the country no farther forward.