THE FUTURE OF ARAPUNI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21144, 30 March 1932, Page 8

THE FUTURE OF ARAPUNI.

The remedial work at Arapuni has been completed, the lake is filling and shortly the giant generators will be running again. The restoration of the Dominion's greatest hydroelectric power plant, which, in the linked-up system, will lie the mainslay of the North Island's power requirements, is a national as well as a provincial event of importance. Its interruption through the fracture and temporary tilt of a vital block of the. country of the site—a movement, brought about by rock of elastic properties having slowly absorbed water from the headrace — was an unfortunate occurrence particularly at a time when the country's financial resources were feeling the strain of the depression, but it was not a dire disaster in the sense the prophets of woe used the term. The country has every justification for reposing ils confidence in the judgment of Professor Hornell and in the soundness of the protective work carried out, by the Public Works Department on his advice. The cai.se of the trouble was the penetration of water from the headrace. In a period that is ahead of schedule, the headrace has been effectually sealed with a filter-bed below the waterproof surface, and a, system of drainage shafts and galleries to provide for any future emergency. There need be, no doubt, as to the thoroughness with which this elaborate safeguard has been constructed. The protective, facing of the falls has been a. great but comparatively simple task that, should end erosion in thatquarter,and il may now be claimed that the headworks and overflow channel arc fully

equipped not only for the service of the present generating station but also for its ultimate development when eight ]s,oookwt. sets will take the whole of the normal flow of the Waikato River. The estimated cost of the remedial works was £560,000. The actual cost has not been announced, but even if the estimate has been exceeded the total cost of harnessing the river at Arapuni—£2,3Bo,oo0 —will not be excessive when reduced to a per horse-power basis. The earning capacity of the plant is hifih enough to carry the cost of repairs and of interest lost through the interruption without imposing unduly high charges for power on industry. The addition of over half a million to the capital cost with £200,000 for interest on idle capital and further sums for emergency steam plant has been unfortunate, but, nevertheless, Arapuni still remains a practical economic proposition that will steadily improve as a national asset as further generators are installed beneath the existing headworks.