STAGNATION AT ARAPUNI

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18325, 15 February 1923, Page 8

STAGNATION AT ARAPUNI

LITTLE PROGRESS EVIDENT. I MAJOR TASKS NOT TOUCHED. POWER BOARD'S INSPECTION. [BZ TELEGRAPH.—-SPECIAL BEPOKTEB..J ' HAMILTON. Wednesday. Ocular proof of the lack of any real effort in connection with the Arapumi hydro-electrio scheme was gained . to-day by members of tho Auckland Power Board, who visited the dam site at the invitation of the local Development League. Since the board's last visit about a year ago, nothing has been done beyond the erection of a cable across the river from cliff top to cliff top, which is to carry the poles for the transmission line. Three or four men have been #at work in breaking down louse formation on the western side of the proposed dam, but the diversion tunnel, Which must cany the waters of the rivers during the construction of the dam, has not been pushed beyond the most , trivial initial stages. Other important preliminary works in addition to this tunnel include the opening of a quarry 12 miles up tne river from which 400,000 tons of rock will have to be obtained the laying of a tram track from the quarry; the laying of railß over the eight miles from Putaruru for the carriage of material, which will include 25 tons of cement estimated to be required every day for three years; the improvement of the road from Putaruru; and -ihe erection of accommodation for hundreds of men. . None of these operations has received any attention, except on paper, and since it hats become public knowledge that proposals have been made to the Government for the installation of a steam plant for the generation of power for Auckland in lieu of the Arapuni uclK.'me, the local residents have become greatly concerned. This state of mind has not been at all lessened by the' fact that the engineers have gone to Wellington, aM yesterday these opinions were given expression.

Disappointment Expressed. Members of the Auckland Power Board expressed great disappointment at the little progress observed. The members who made the trip were Messrs. W. J. Holdsworth (chairman), S. J. Harbutt, R. G Clark, H. T. Goldie, M. J. Bennett, and E. H. Potter. The engineer, Mr. A. Wyllie, accompanied the party. Arrangements were in the bands of Mr. E. J. Darby, and the ladies of the district provided refreshments. Every article on the loaded tables was of local production, testifying to the future capability of these lands that so recently ware merely scrub and . fern. Addressing the visitors>Mr. Darby said that in March, 1919, the first investigation of the scheme, which was to take six. months, was begum. Nearly .four years had now passed, and the actual commencement of the work appeared to be as far off as ever. He had nothing but praise for the Minister for Public Works, but the trouble" was that he had to carry on his shoulders a burden in the shape of a hostile Department. With one or two exceptions he had never heard anything but hostility in regard- to the scheme from departmental officials. The Horahora plant was now- nearly fully loaded. Recently it had been overloaded for a time. Its full capacity would be reached with the installation in the near future of two more units of 2000 kilowatts each. A total of 733 farmers were now being supplied with power, only one-fifth of the farmers of the area reticulated. *« There was a movement in Auckland to foist a steam plant upon the province, but the farmers, who were among hardest workers and had evarv sympathy with 'the workers, had no desire to have their milking plants at the mercy of miners. This would happen if a coal plant were substituted for a hydro plant. " Tour Men and a Wheelbarrow." . The employment of "four men, a boy and a wheelbarrow on works which were to be of a giant character did not give indication of energetic intention on the part of the Government. A Royal .Commission had recommended that the scheme be adopted, but it seemed that they were waiting for the archangel Gabriel to perform the job," concluded Mr. Darby. . Mr. Holdsworth said that when a rumour became current that a steam plant at Huntly was proposed, the Power Board decided that it was time to move in the matter. He traced the history of the negotiations'with the Government and the signing of the contract, the understanding being that Arapuni should be proceeded with at once. There was not the slightest doubt, he said, that what they had seen was most disappointing. Twelve months after .the conclusion of an agreement with the State that the work was to proceed forthwith, they found half a dozen men pottering about. He could not see how the department could get on with the ieal work for another 12 months, and that would leave only four years for the completion of the job on schedule time. '

Concern as to the Prospect. • The hoard, whose duty it -was to supply light and power to 150,000 people, was deeply, concerned over the prospect. , Its members had been astonished at the growing rate of the demand for power, and it was anticipated that two years after the present extensions to the Auckland power-house had been completed they ■would not be able to meet requirements. The board desired something definite from the Government. It wanted to know by the recess whether any preliminary works were being started. The Minister had been definite on the "question of the Arapuni scheme, but until they saw something tangible they ; would be uneasy. As to authorities holding divergent opinions as to possible schemes, Mr. Holdsworth said that all the schemes had been fully considered and the question had been finally decided. Opposing views had now no right to cwry weight or influence. Mr. H. A. Healey, a local settler, said Mr. Massey had quoted an authority (whether an engineer or a shoeblack he did not know), who had 1 spoken in favour of a steam plant. Mr. Massey had been wondering if there was anything in it. Local people looked at the gorge and wondered if there was going to be anything in it. The matter had become a mystery. Let them call the gorge " mystery gorge," and Ihope that the " fooling would cease. In proposing a vote of thanks, Mr. Potter said he had confidence in the Government and the Minister, and believed the scheme would be carried through. Mr. Harbntt said the Minister had told him that the plans would be completed in December, but.the department had t«en a little behind. I He had Mr. Coates' assurance that when the plans wre ready tenders .would be called. Personally he saw no harm in the Government getting information regarding other schemes as long as Mr. Coates was Minister. .