IS ARAPUNI TO LIVE?

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 219, 16 September 1930, Page 8

IS ARAPUNI TO LIVE?

MINISTER'S RESERVATION.

COMMENT ON NEWSPAPER

ACCOUNT,

REPORT FOR PARLIAMENT,

(By Telegraph.— Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day,

Interviewed this morning in regard to the telegraphic message appearing in the "Auckland Star" on Saturday, and emanating from Putaruru, headed "Arapuni to Live," the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. W. B. Taverner, stated that this was another example of the fertile imagination of a newspaper reporter. Before going on to deal with the various points mentioned in the message, the Minister reiterated his pi evious'statement that nothing.was being said or done in anticipation of Professor Hornell's report, or in any other connection, in regard to the future of the station. ,

"It will be remembered that several months ago," said the Minister, "the Government authorised tlie concreting of the falls and. preparations were being made accordingly. These were entirely suspended when the station was shut down in June. Some of the timber necessary for the/profiling work in this connection had 'been delivered, but it is not intended to take delivery of any further supplies until' such time as a decision has been made in regard to the station. No authority has, been issued for the acquiring of land for the supply of gravel, neither lias any machinery been purchased or assembled on the site for the taking out of gravel."

Questioned in regard to the statement that the plant is being completely overhauled, the Minister stated that nothing more than routine work was in progress, and it is not within his knowledge that any activity ot the kind mentioned is taking place. >

A further statement, that Mr. T. Rabone, engineer in charge at the station, had left,for Wellington for the purpose of consulting with Professor Hornell, is entirety incorrect. The ehgineeer-in-cliief, Mr. P. W. Furkert, is in daily contact with Professor Hornell, as is the Minister when required. Mr. Rabone is absent from the station on his annual leave.

As to numerous speculations in regard to various suggestions for repairing the works, the Minister stated that he had been inundated with proposals emanating from both professional and lay sources, but that, of course ,it was ail entirely beside. the mark.

When the consulting engineer's proposal is available, Mr. Taverner said, it will receive consideration in a proper and orderly manner, and, as promised in a recent statement, it willbe submitted to the House as early as possible. The Minister wishe dto emphasise his statement that the general question will be left to Parliament to decide, as it is confidently anticipated that the -report will be available before Parliament rises.