STATE OF ARAPUNI.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 22, 26 January 1929, Page 7

STATE OF ARAPUNI.

ENGINEER DISTURBED.

PBECAUTIOHI ADVISED.

LEAKAGE IX DIVERSION TUNNEL.

(By Telegraph.—Own Corrcspoadeat.)

HAMILTON, this day.

A serious aspect is placed on the conditions at Arapuni by Mr, H. M. Chrystall, consulting engineer, of Christchurch, who yesterday inspected the dam. Mr. Crystall was consulting engineer to the Foundations Company, of I*mdon, one of the tendering firms, and he made a thorough investigation before work was commenced yesterday. He found water squirting throubh the heavy concrete, walls of the diversion tunnel. While not desiring to appear an alarmist, he urges the need for speedily assessing the full danger, and for adequate provision for warning farms in danger to move in case of a rupture. At the time of his investigation Mr. Chrystall said, he had serious misgivings about the wisdom of constructing a dam even of the gravity type, in country of such an unsatisfactory nature, tt was from subsequent events that, despite what the Public Works Department maintained, and of which he had definite evidence, no thorough engineering investigation was carried out. There were man yundisclosed facts not in te poseeseion of the Department which hoped would be brought to light at the proposed commission, which should prevent any works of a similar nature being undertaken in future without a comprehensive investigation. *" c There was no doubt that, the rhyolite beds which existed were not substantial Mr ™* 1 ?,r hi< ?i to «™*ruct a dam, Mr. Chrystall said. The inhabitants of the Lower Waikato should demand a £S*£ a"""*! fr . om *** Government ?£L? * e .u T *. nt of "y rupture in the vicinity of the dam ample warning would be given. As far as possible, in his opinion, a constant watch should be mamtainsd in the tfcinty of the, cut-off