THE ARAPUNI SCHEME.

Matamata Record, Volume VI, Issue 433, 3 May 1923, Page 4

THE ARAPUNI SCHEME.

MINISTER VISITS SITE. The New Bridge. The Minister for Public Works, the Hon. ,). G. Coates, accompanied by Mr. A. Young, M.P. for Hamilton, was more or less an unexpected visitor to Putaruru and Arapuni on Tuesday afternoon. They arrived by motor about midday from the Taupo district, where they had been attending the native luii in connection with the unveiling of the memorial to the late Hon. To Heuhcu I’ukino. On arrival at Putaruru the Minister was interviewed by Messrs. ('. G. Alcorn and -1. R. 0. I.ochhcad, respectively chairman and deputychairman of the Putaruru District Development Board. They firstly took the opportunity of convoying to him the Development Board’s thanks for his support in having the PutaruruTnupo Railway Board constituted. Discussing the Arapuni scheme Mr. Coates stated that several representatives of prospective tenderers for the work had already inspected the site. He anticipated there would be good competition for this big job, the Government getting the benefit thcicol as regards price. If, however, for any, cause the tenders were unreasonably high the Public Works Department would of course have to undertake the work itself, but this eventuality seemed quite unlikely. " The matter of the new traffic bridge to be provided at Arapuni, to give main highway connection across the river, and incidentally give Pukeatua and the adjoining districts good shortened access to Putaruru, was also mentioned. Mr. Coates agreed that the bridge which was to be provided near the powerhouse site and which would necessarily have steep approaches down the river bank on either side would be purely a temporary measure. The permanent traffic crossing would be provided by the top of the Arapuni dam, which would constitute a level crossing. The party then proceeded to Ara-. puni. this being the Minister’s first visit to the site since the big Auapum day of .Tune. 1021, when, in the presence of representative delegates, members of Parliament and others from Auckland city and all parts of. South \iiA-lund, be announced the adont ion of the Arapuni scheme by the Government.

PUTARURU.