GRAVE SUGGESTION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 212, 22 August 1927, Page 5

GRAVE SUGGESTION

ARAPUNI HYDRO-ELECTRIC-ITY □ ELAY AT POWER HOUSE SITE. THE ENGINEERING TROUBLE. (Per Press Association.) Auckland, Aug. 22. The grave suggestion is made by Mr. J. Park, member of the Auckland Electric Power Board, who recently visited Arapuni, that the Arapuni hydro-electric scheme is being delayed because the Govern inent and the contractors have not tried to settle who is responsible foi the engineering trouble at the powei house site. Mr. Park, who is an architect with large engineering experience, de dared 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 furthei delay.

The position is of a graver nature than those directly responsible will

."buit, he says. To rectify the difficulties existing will mean the ex penditure of a huge sum. The most optimistic admit that until the ques tion of who will accept the responsibility for this expenditure is settled Auckalnd province will have to h e resigned to doing without Ara pmii. The country on which the dam is being built is nothing more o> less than a pumice area and, even with the extra precautions being taken, he doubts whether pumice country will stand the test for many years-

“Should my fears prove correct,” he concludes, “the Government will be faced with a very serious problem indeed. That the foundation that was expected does not exist, is common knowledge in the district. The trouble should not be insurmountable, but the undertaking now involves a great deal more money than was anticipated under the original terms of the contract.” NEW UNION EXECUTIVE. Hamilton, Aug. 22. Following dissalislaction among the Arapuni workers, **.e men have elected a ivw union executive to hold office until the annual meeting one month hence.