UNLOCATED BY SURVEY

Evening Star, Issue 21824, 13 September 1934, Page 3

UNLOCATED BY SURVEY

GROUND FAULT AT WAIPORI ADDITICHAL EXPENSE INVOLVED The failure of the bores and the geophysical survey to locate a fault in the site of the non' surge chamber at Waipori, and the necessity of building on a new site, involving an additional cost of £1,200, were subjects of pertinent questions at last night’s meeting of the City Council. The report of the E.P. and L. Committee stated:—“ During the period it was found necessary to make fresh arrangements regarding the site of the surge tank. The site originally selected uroved, on excavation, to be unsatisfactory, and it was deemed essential to move to a fresh location whereby the foundation of the surge tank will bo supported on the solid rock. The change in site of l the surge tank will also involve a slight alteration in the line of the tunnel. The consulting engineers advise that the alteration to the surge tank site will involve a con-' siderable ‘ extra ’ of probably about £1,200, and, as they advise that it would be unwise to proceed on the original plan, they have been notified to proceed as necessary to give effect to the new arrangement.” Moving the adoption of the report, Cr J. B. Shacklock said the surge chamber was now to be built on a rock base. ,

Cr J. L. M'lndoe asked why the boring and geophysical survey had not disclosed fractures in the rock or the unsuitability of the site. An explanation was needed of the additional expenditure of_£l,2oo, in view of the previous investigations by the engineers, who were paid to do the job. Cr W. Begg supported Cr M'lndoe’s views. He had always understood from the reports that the work was good. Why did not the engineers notice the fault in the ground during their surveys? Mr M‘lndoe > was fully justified insisting the question. Cr J. J. Marlow, replying as a member of the committee, said no human being could find out what was in the bowels of the earth. The geophysical survey had saved the department an enormous sum of money. No one should question the cost of the .geophysical survey. It had saved-fethe council £1,200 more than once. Cr Shacklock replied that councillors were mistaken if they believed that the geophysical survey or bores would tell them everything of the nature of the ground. _ The bores had been of value, but neither the bores nor the geophysical survey had proved the weakness. It would be foolish to proceed with the building of the surge chamber on the original site. By moving further into the hill, the chamber would be. built on solid rock. The report was adopted.