EROSION AT ARAPUNI

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 10359, 23 April 1930, Page 3

EROSION AT ARAPUNI

Precautionary Work in Hand. STATEMENT BY MINISTER, New Plymouth, April 22 The position regarding the Arapuni hydro-electric works was exj plained by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, in an interview. He said there had been no further erosion for some months, but it was recognised that as long as the water passed over the waterfall there was a danger of [ further erosion. It was hoped that some time next month numbers 7 and 8 penstock tunnels would be ready to receive the flow, and when that happened, together with the working the units comprising Nos. 1,2 and 3 turbines, the normal flow of the Waikato River could be received, thus diverting the flow .from over the waterfall. Should a fresh occur in the river during the period of preparation the extra water could be passed through by a tunnel at the dam and into the old river bed. Then again, if the five units mentioned could not take the whole flow of the Waikato some could be put through the by-pass tunnel. As soon as this work was finished an investigation would be made into the Avhole of the work. The concreting plant was all ready to concrete the waterfall, so that the danger would be lessened’and the water would, have a solid bottom to pass over at that point. Questioned regarding the North Island hydro-electric system, the Minister said things were progressing at the expected rate. He inspected the" New Plymouth-Mangamahoe hydro scheme, and upon being informed of the inconvenient shortage of power in New Plymouth during the recent ; months, said that the work of connecting New Plymouth with the Waikaremoana and Mangahao stations was proceeding. It' was expected that Government power would be available to New Plymouth at the [ •date promised, or oven earlier, about ■ August, 1931. )