ARAPUNI DAM

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 105, 28 January 1929, Page 10

ARAPUNI DAM

ITS SAFETY QUESTIONED

Dominion Special Service. Auckland, January 27.

A serious aspect is placed on conditions at Arapuni by Mr. H. M. Chrystall, consulting engineer, of Christchurch; who, on Friday, inspected the dam. *Mr. Chrystall was consulting engineer to the Foundations Company, of London, one of the tendering firms, and he made a thorough investigation before the work was commenced. On Friday he found water squirting through the heavy concrete walls of the diversion tunnel.

At the time of his investigation, Mr. Chrystall said he had serious missgivings about the wisdom of constructing a dam, even of the gravity, type, in country of such an unsatisfactory nature. Despite what the Public Works Department maintained, and of which he had definite evidence, no thorough engineering investigation was carried out. There were many undisclosed facts not in possession of the Department which he hoped would be brought to light at the proposed commission which should ‘prevent any works of a similar nature being undertaken in the future without comprehensive investigation. There was no doubt that the rhyolite beds which existed were not substantial material in which to construct a dam.

Mr. Chrystall said the inhabitants of the Lower Waikato should demand a definite assurance from the Govern-, ment that, in the event of any rupture in the vicinity of the dam, ample warning would be-given as far as possible. In his opinion a constant watch should be maintained in the vicinity of the cut-off walls.