ANOTHER LEAK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 224, 21 September 1932, Page 9

ANOTHER LEAK.

ARAPUNI HEADRACE. trouble soon remedied. LEVEL OF DAM LOWERED. (By Telegraph.—Special to " Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. Believed by the authorities to be the outcome of the recent trouble, a minor leakage has occurred in the headrace at Arapuni at a point over the drain which runs down the centre of the headrace, and a few feet below the cut-off wall at the end of the tiled lining where the original seepage probably had its source. As a temporary measure, pending exhaustive investigations behind the shelter of the proposed island coffer dam, the leak has been "blanketed" with a tarpaulin covering. The position was fully explained this afternoon by Mr. F. T. M. Kissel, chief electrical engineer to the Public Works Department, who at once made it clear that the development gave no cause for alarm or apprehension, since it had been anticipated that the discovery of one or more minor leakages might be made arising out of the development last month, which had resulted in extensive repairs being made to the affected portion of the flooring and the sloping embankment. The remedial measures were carried out within the coffer dam, and although it had been establishedtliat the damage was confined to the enclosed section it was realised that the location of another leak would not be a remote possibility, hence the decision had been made at the time to construct an island coffer dam when circumstances permitted.

The discovery of the leak was made yesterday morning, Mr. Kissel said, when the water in the normal seepage outlet was found to have increased in volume. Water was discharging at the rate of 500 gallons a minute, but this fluctuated throughout the day. Investigations were made at once, and the level of the water in the lake was lowered slightly to enable the source of the new leakage to be covered with tarpaulins. The latest report, received at 9.30 this morning, was to the effect that the seepage was down again. After the tarpaulins had beeil placed into position the gates of the diversion tunnel were again closed and the headrace level restored to normal. "It is quite a minor affair," added Mr. Kissel, "and as soon as arrangements can be made, the island coffer dam will be installed and a thorough investigation of the headrace flooring at this point carried out." '