ARAPUNI SCHEME.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19086, 23 August 1927, Page 9

ARAPUNI SCHEME.

ENGINEERING TROUBLE. POWER BOARD MEMBER'S ALLEGATIONS. (.PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, August 22. A grave suggestion is made by Mr J. Park, a member, of the Auckland Electric Power Board, who recently visited Arapuni, that the Arapuui hydro-elec-tric scheme is being delayed because the Government and contractors have not tried to settle who is responsible for. the engineering trouble at the power-house site. Mr Park, who is an architect with large engineering experience, declares that the dispute should be decided forthwith, by calling in overseas experts, if necessary, and work on the original site, or elsewhere, should be resumed without further delay. The position, he said, is of a graver nature ,than those directly responsible will admit. To rectify the difficulties existing would mean the expenditure of a huge sum. The most optimistic must admit that until the question as to who will accept the responsibility for this expenditure is settled, the Auckland province will have to be resigned to doing without Arapuni. The country on which the dam is being built was nothing more or less than a pumice area. Even with extra precautions being taken, ho douhts if the pumice country will stand the test for manv years. "Should my fears prove correct," he concludes, "the Government will bo faced with a very serious problem indeed. That the foundation expected does not exist is common knowledge in the district. The trouble should i#f»t be. insurmountable, but the undertaking now involves a great deal more money than anticipated under the original terms of the contract." LITIGATION PROBABLE. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TEI^GRAM.) AUCK.LANP, August 32. Mr Kissel, of the Public Works De? partment, declines to make a statement concerning Mr Park's comments on the Arapuni works, except to state that litigation is highly probable. NEW UNION EXECUTIVE. (PRESS ASSOCIATION WjfcISQIUM,) HAMILTON, August 83. Following dissatisfaction among the Arapuni workers, the men h<ive elected a, new union executive to hold office until the annual meeting one month hence.