ARAPUNI REPAIRS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 292, 5 September 1931, Page 6

ARAPUNI REPAIRS

Good Progress Made With Work RUNNING NEXT YEAR It i* confidently expected by the Public Works Department that the Arapunl hydro-electric station will be running under load before the middle of next year, according to a statement by the Minister of Public Works, Hon. W. B. Taverner, yesterday. He said the repair work was proceeding very satisfactorily, being, in fact, somewhat ahead of schedule. “Work is being energetically carried out on practically all of the jobs under the repair scheme, but activities have of late been somewhat restricted on account of inclement weather," the Minister said. “Every effort has, however, been made to maintain three shifts on the work at the headrace preparatory to the placing of the impervious lining, and on the excavation work at the falls and the overflow channel, these being the three major items of the repair work, “The number of men employed has, of late, been somewhat reduced, the reduction being largely due to the fact that the preparatory work in the headrace is well advanced and somewhat ahead of the lining work. Contracts somewhat in excess of £50,000 have been let for the manufacture of concrete paving slabs, for bituminous lining and for steel sheeting required in connection with the headrace lining.

“One of the most interesting stages of the work is the reshaping of the waterfall in such a manner as will more efficiently control the water. The excavabion for this purpose has entailed heavy and difficult work, but it has now been satisfactorily completed, and the placing of the reinforced concrete on the fall will shortly be in hand.”