THE SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION OF THE ARAPUNI HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEME is at present a matter of considerable anxiety owing to unexpected difficulties which have been encountered in laying the foundations for the power house site. Another portion of the scheme, the construction of the dam has, however, been practically completed. The dam has been built across the stream to enable the water to be thrown back into its old bed and carried three-quarters of a mile to the penstock tunnels, through which it will return to its present bed, meanwhile rotating the huge turbines which will generate sufficient electric power to supply the wants of half the Auckland province. Before the dam could be built the stream had to be diverted by tunnel through the cliffs at approximately the point indicated. Recently the gates of this tunnel were partially closed for test, purposes, and the impounded water was allowed to rise 60 feet, as shown in this picture. When the tunnel is eventually closed the water will rise another 60 odd feet to the point indicated on the face of the dam, and will then pour under the bridge along the head race to the proposed tunnels. This picture graphically illustrates this interesting engineering feat.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 306, 29 November 1927, Page 2

THE SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION OF THE ARAPUNI HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEME is at present a matter of considerable anxiety owing to unexpected difficulties which have been encountered in laying the foundations for the power house site. Another portion of the scheme, the construction of the dam has, however, been practically completed. The dam has been built across the stream to enable the water to be thrown back into its old bed and carried three-quarters of a mile to the penstock tunnels, through which it will return to its present bed, meanwhile rotating the huge turbines which will generate sufficient electric power to supply the wants of half the Auckland province. Before the dam could be built the stream had to be diverted by tunnel through the cliffs at approximately the point indicated. Recently the gates of this tunnel were partially closed for test, purposes, and the impounded water was allowed to rise 60 feet, as shown in this picture. When the tunnel is eventually closed the water will rise another 60 odd feet to the point indicated on the face of the dam, and will then pour under the bridge along the head race to the proposed tunnels. This picture graphically illustrates this interesting engineering feat.