SIGHTSEERS STOPPED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 140, 16 June 1930, Page 9

SIGHTSEERS STOPPED.

RAILWAY EXCURSIONISTS.

OFFICIAL EXPLANATIONS.

FORMER DAMAGE RECALLED.

There, being little sentiment in business the Railway Department organised a special excursion to Arapuni, where the Public Works Department is in distress over the closing down of the hydro-electric station. Sightseers to the number of 160 took advantage of the cheap fares to make the trip, but some disappointment- was expressed when it was discovered on arrival at the dam —where, by the way, there has been no trouble —that they could go thus, far but no further. Every road leading to the affected area was strongly picketed, the Public Works Department taking all necessary precautions for the safety of visitors and the protection of the works. There were no harsh words levelled at those in charge of the Arapuni works, the Railway Department coming in for all the criticism on the ground that it had not been disclosed that the public would not have access to the spillway and falls where the seat of the trouble has been located. In reply to this criticism the Departmental officers point out that neither by advertisement in the newspapers nor by posters displayed at railway stations was it indicated that the public would bo allowed on the affected area. The posters and advertisements set out that the excursion trip was to Arapuni, and no mention was made of the powerhouse, headrace, spillway or falls. Engineers' Trying Time. Officers of the Public Works Department at Arapuni have had a most trying time since the trouble commenced, and the engineer in charge of the works, Mr. T. Rabone, has not averaged four hours in bed a day since the earth movement was first discovered. Other officers have had an. equally strenuous time. From the start of the trouble every facility has been given to Press to gain first-hand information, representatives of the various newspapers being invariably told to go and see for themselves what has happened. It is due to this attitude by the responsible officers, including the chief Government engineer. Mr. F. W. Furkert, that the "Auckland Star" has been able to give the public a,n account of everything that has happened at the works. The Last Experience. > Public Works engineers declared yesterday that it was impossible to allow hundreds of sightseers to over-run the affected area. It would hamper the workmen engaged and be dangerous for the visitors. On a previous occasion, when the scour at the falls took place, visitors were allowed on the scene, and gave much trouble. About £300 dama»e was done by fire to a temporary shed which housed valuable electrical plant.

Apart from those who took advantage of tho excursion train yesterday hundreds arrived by motor cars and buses. All wero able to have a good view of the diversion tunnel at its outlet in the gorgo-below the dam, to inspect the dam itself and view the powerhouse and river from a distant vantage point on tho eastern bank of tiro gorge. Them was no chance of passing the barriers— the pickets were too numerous.

The railway excursion was well organised. Seven buses met the train at Putaruru and conveyed the visito.s to the dam, which, nine miles distant, was reached shortly after two o'clock. The buses left again at half-past three. The train pulled out of Putaruru at 4.40 and Auckland was reached at a few minutes before 10 o'clock.