IS ARAPUNI SAFE?

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 226, 23 September 1936, Page 10

IS ARAPUNI SAFE?

MR. COATES' DEFENCE. RUMOURS CONTRADICTED. MR. SEMPLE UNCONVINCED. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. A contradiction to rumours that the Aranpuni hydro-electric works were unsafe was given by Mr. Coates (National, Kaipara) during the discussion on the Public Works Statement in the House of, Representatives this morning. Mr. Coates quoted from the statement and said that the impression might be gained that there was some deficiency in regard to Arapuni.' There was a hue and cry between 1928 and 1930. Mr. Coates proceeded to refer to criticism of the scheme made by the present Minister of Public Works,' when Mr.Semple interjected and said that he stood by what he had said, and that no man could say it was safe, and no engineer could say it was in view of the type of foundation. He said Mr. Coates had said that the trouble at.Arapuni had not been unexpected, and it had been a question whether certain .steps should be taken at the beginning or not. Mi-. J. O'Brien (Government, Westland) : Did not Mr. Furkert (the former engineer-in-chief of Public Works) say that he would not advise the £rove'rnment to spend another £5 on it? Mr. Coates: No. were all in the other direction. He added that Mr. Semple had assumed that the foundations had given way, but it was ascertained that the turbine was faulty. Mr. O'Brien: A. New Zealand fitter found that out, not an expert from Sweden. Mr.. Coates said that if experts counted for anything Mr. Semple would say that Arapuni met the requirements of the public and was as safe as one would wish-it to bet Mr. O'Brien: In that country? Mr. Coates'. I would say that as a result of the precautions taken it is perfectly safe.