ARAPUNI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20640, 12 August 1930, Page 12

ARAPUNI.

Sir, —The question of responsibility at Arapuni being sub judice, expressions of opinion thereon are premature, but the public, who pay, are entitled to the history of the case to enable it to follow intelligently subsequent procedure. The thanks of your readers ate due to so eminent a geologist as Professor Barfmni for information contained in his letter in Saturday's Herald regarding "misunderstandings that may bo general." 'ihe professor informed us:—(1), That Uioso responsible --for tho undertaking "were aware of the imperfections of the rocks and that "the difficulties have been tackled with surprising resolution anu capability." (2) That although a Government geologist was engaged to report on the dam site, which has not failed,, no such report was requisitioned for the sites for headrace, spillway, overflow channel or power house, all of which have developed defects. Will Professor Bart rum please amplify, as regards (1! "V informing your readers the "known difficulties" in connection with the affected conduits, etc., "were tackled with capability." From the evidence published it would appear that the River \\ aikflto was diverted into thoso channels in practically their natural state, being unconcreted (except the spillway dam) or reinforced in any manner. As regards (g) was Professor Bartrum aware that MiHolmes, ex-engineer-in-chief, Pu'-hc Works Department, had reported long before tho defects developed that IT j similar undertakings the majority o failures were in connection with headrace and spillway, and not the dam. and »n.i he did not favour the sites? Why was no Government geologist's report ll ( quisitioned for other than the da in si e What would happen if the sole out et noin the dam through which the Waikato now flows became blocked, or its valve, o gate became defective? Frank : Keep