Untitled

Otago Witness, Issue 3911, 26 February 1929, Page 66

A serious mishap has occurred to the Cromwell Development Company’s works on the Kawarau River, and the pumping plant is out of commission. The filling in front of the main weir has partly carried away, and all the water is passing underneath. A request to have the Kawarau gate at the lake closed for a brief period to enable an inspection to be made was agreed to, it is stated, only on the payment of a heavy insurance policy, a somewhat severe restriction while the lake and river are low. It is reported that steps are being taken to fill the breach, but no information is available as to when the pumps will be in commission again. Meanwhile the large flat is without water. A section of the Tarras area is also without water, a serious break having occurred in the channel which leads up the west side of the valley, opposite the Tarras Post Office. The break occurred on a shingly face, into which a deep gulch was cut. Pipes are being put in to carry the water. Bicycle thieves are again operating freely in Christchurch. Within the last few days three bicycles have disappeared out of the rack used by the employees of one business firm in the city.