ARAPUNI ATTRACTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20028, 18 August 1928, Page 14

ARAPUNI ATTRACTIONS.

COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY.

A FAVOURITE DISTRICT.

A SETTLEMENT WITH A FUTURE. (Published by Arrangement.) Arapuni is unique in New Zealand, inasmuch as it is the 0n1y,,-ease of a national scheme producing permanent results outside of the mece. generation of power. There is to-day a permanent, population, which will be steadily increased, making Arapuni its centre for sound reasons, quite apart from any appertaining to the public money which is being spent there. Few people realise that tlio Arapuni Lake will become in time a commercial waterway after the style, though in a lesser degree, perhaps, of Kaipara and Russoll harbours. It taps the successful soldiers' settlement of 60.000 acres on the Wharepuhunga block, as well as other dairying lands nearer the dam, while the only outlet for thousands of acres of firstclass bush at : the head of the lake .'S across its waters.

Already the lake, which has only been formed sonic six months, gives plain evidence of equalling, if not surpassing, Tnnpo as au . international fishing resort, while in its . narrower reaches wild duck teem.

For sculling matches it. is ideal, providing, as it, does, a straight, sheltered course of eight miles, with low undulating banks, which would provide an exceptional view of a world's championship contest from start to finish. On top of this, scullers will appreciate the fact that on the regular launch service, repeated checkings have shown that there is a variation of only five minutes over a 21-miles run tip and down the lake/ The current, therefore, is almost "negligible. In regard to yachting, no less an authority than an ex-comrnodo'ro of the Royal Yacht Squadron is of opinion, _ after a personal inspection, that a splendid course is provided for 14-foot boats of the Iron Duke class. Natural Reading Centre.

It is not only the lake, however, which will inako Arapuni a centre. Its existence would be somewhat .precarious, as is the existence of most tourist resorts, were it dependent solely on such traffic for its growth. It is its natural geographical situation that will make Arapuni an important centre in the near future. Local roads already radiate to Horahora and South Waotu, while the main road along the lake edge, which must tap all available subdivisions of property, both present and future, is already planned and confirmed. Further, situated as the town is on the road from Te Awamutu to Putaruru. which is portion of what? ultimately will become the main east to west coast route and has already been gazetted a main highway, Arapuni has already attracted settlers from Pukeatua on the western side and Pukcturua on the eastern side, who find it convenient and satisfactory to spread their custom among the 18 businesses already established in the township. The land in these two settlements is strong and healthy and carries thousands of cows, while {ho very fine road of nine miles, shortly to be biturnitiised.. constructed by the Public Works Department from Putaruru station to Arapuni, has resulted in thousands of acres of similar land being brought in for dairying purposes along this route. The stunted look of the secondary growth for some considerable distance around the site of the work has created the impression in the minds of many visitors that the land hereabout is of a poor quality. This is far from being the case. The original virgin growth of tea-tree was from 15 to 20ft. high and the bulk of the soil is a black loam. Near at hand, in the Waotu district, one farm of 200 acres has wintered 300 sheep, 100 head of cattle and 7 horses. Seventy of tho cattle were milking cows, 40 of which gave over ,300 lb. for the season. The groat dam wall with its 20-foot carriage-way on top, has provided the necessary link between and east and west by bridging the .210-foot canyon, and is tho most important bridge over the Wai kato south of Cambridge for a distance of 50 to 60 miles. Modern Theatre.

Arapuni township already consists of some 18 permanent modern bungalows, whoso average cost would lie in the vicinity of four figures, a cottage' hospital, some 50 to 60 other residences, as well as commodious general stores, shops and restaurants. -

The best-equipped country theatre in New Zealand, furnished on most, modern lines with trercd armchair seating accommodation rising from tho dancing floor which flanks this "electrically-heated auditorium, draws packed houses to the pictures which are screened twice a week. The scores of cars parked in front of the hall on picture nights is a striking testimony to not only tho settlers' financial stability, but also their recognition of Ampun'i as their centre. A remarkable factor about tho climate of Arapuni is its curative properties for chest, and lung troubles. This is also no doubt assisted by the great porosity of the soil which provides excellent- drainago and keeps tho surroundings pleasant even 011 the wettest day. At least two prominent business men of independentmeans, who have sot tied at Arapuni, have found complete relief after beingmartyrs to asthma, for many years. This great asset of the district is bound to become more generally recognised, owing to the easy accessibility of Arapuni from Auckland.

Work Barely Begun. From Hie pure hydro-electric point of view, Arapuni is destined to become one of the greatest sources of power in the soutljern hemisphere, and thus this factor alono will provide the nucleus for a prosperous and stable settlement. Unkind critics have suggested that, like Tennyson's brook, work under the Public Works Department will go on for ever. Though the time suggested by Government experts for the first release of commercial power—June. 1929 —may not be complied with, the 260 men now at work should succeed in getting one turbine in working order by that dale.. Three other penstocks, one'of which lias vet to bo bored, have then to bo completed before the first part of the whole scheme is finished. Work will then commence all over again, so far as harnessing the trapped waters is concerned, on the task of removing and boring the 300 ft. cliff, for a further set of four penstocks which will be necessary to keep pace with the great demand for power which is disclosed in the following statement authorised by Mr. W. J. Iloldsworth, chairman of the Auckland Power Board. Rich Prospective Future. The annual turnover of power by this board alone is 29.000 k.w., witlr an annual increase of 3500 k.w. When the first turbine is available at Arapuni, (.he power required for Auckland is likely to bo 35,000 k.w. So that as the three turbines now being constructed will generate something like 45,000 k.w. of available power, it will be seen that the statement that, the construction of tho other four penstocks will be immediately necessary is no idle one. More especially when it is remembered that Auckland is only one of many power boards, and that transmission lines run from Arapuni to Taranaki and Rotortia, as well as northward. For six or seven years to come, therefore, an average of 200 men should find constant work at the greatest national undertaking New Zealand has ever known. When the scheme is in full working order, it is estimated that a staff of from 70 to 80 men besides their dependants will find permanent employment in caring for the immense equipment "employed. In view, of tbeso figures, the magnitude of the Arapuni scheme should be more readily grasped, while its possibilities from a dairying, tourist and health resort point of view, leave no doubt but that another stable settlement with a rich prospective future has been put on tho map oi New Zealand;