AN UNDERGROUND RIVER?

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 80, 5 April 1932, Page 10

AN UNDERGROUND RIVER?

The conclusion that an under-ground river, with a vqjume almost equal to that of the Waikato Biver, flows beneath the powerhouse at Arapuni has been reached, by Mr. A. J. Thompson, a well-known water diviner, of Eotorua, who, during February, made close investigations around Arapuni. \ For some time Mr. Thompson declined to make any disclosure of his conclusions, but he stated that he is now prepared to make his opinions public. He traverses the position at Arapuni in considerable detail, but the most important statement he makes is.that he stakes his reputation on the fact that there is a,. large underground-flow beneath the powerhouse, and that, further; a large uprush or fountain-head of water from underground streams connected with the main flow is a probable source of great danger when the enormous pressure of the water rushing through the headrace is released. He contends that there is a big .«tream not more than 140 feet below tho powor>on»e, and that this is probably responsible for the vibration which interferes with the working of tho turbines: He also says that the stream follows the line' of the earth' crack which developed at the penstocks, necessitating a hold-up for strengthening operations. He offers uo opinion as to how these streams affect tho general stability of the scheme, but urges an investigation with a view to providing safeguards. Largo bodies of underground water, a c concludes, are certainly th ere.