ARAPUNI SCHEME

Southland Times, Issue 21660, 23 March 1932, Page 8

ARAPUNI SCHEME

POWER FOR AUCKLAND AVAILABLE BY APRIL 10 WELL AHEAD OF SCHEDULE (Per United Press Association.) Hamilton, March 22. The filling of Arapuni lake as a preparatory measure to the resumption of the power supply will commence on Thursday. It is expected the works will be functioning and power available by April 10, nearly two months before schedule. Owing to the total lack of rain for some time it is estimated it will take nearly 14 days to fill the lake. The area to be supplied will embrace Opotiki, Te Kuiti, Helensville, Takapuna, Thames and Waihi. When Arapuni is functioning, it will replace the hydro plant at Horahora, the Diesel plant at Penrose and the Huntly steam plant. These plants will be maintained to guard against the event of trouble at Arapuni.

During the lake filling operations the river level at Hamilton will fall six to seven feet below normal, involving the cessation for that time of practically all navigation on the Waikato river. The water in the lake must rise until it reaches the level of the head race, 140 feet above the ancient bed of the Waikato river. Running over this, the water will flow down to the forebay at the foot of the outdoor station. That which is required for the generation of electricity will flow down the tunnels to the power house and once again turn the turbines which are to supply the greater part of Auckland province with electricity.