THE RATAPIKO DAM

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 40, 22 June 1929, Page 5

THE RATAPIKO DAM

MAKING IT SAFE. STEEL PILINC TO BE USED. The consulting engineers presented the following report to the T'a~ rlanaiki Power BoiUrd yesterday) jib reference to the boring tests made at the llatapiko dam : Commencing over the line of the diversion tunnel a series of twenty bore holes, three feet apart have been put down m accordance with your instructions, to a. depth of about eighteen feet, along the fence line toward the embankment. Water was encountered in all the holes. This caused some difficulty in removing the sand from the bore holes. There was apparently no movement in the water in any of the lioles which J although doused with C'ondy's fluid gave no indication whatever of colour in the springs. As was to he expected the water level in the lioles nearest the springs was somewhat lower than in the others, the water level gradually rising the further the holes were from the springs. When the lake was drawn down about eighteen inches the water drained out oj; the holes nearest the springs. In regard to pile-driv-ing equipment wej were informed after approaching the Public AVorks Department, that none of their gear could he released for use hy the Board. We therefore recommend that Mr. W. Salte's quotation for and at £l9l* 9s 9d be accepted for driv-

ing 1025 feet of steel sheet piling, subject to the Board idomnify.Kg against claims arising from failure cf the air compressing plant or power supply. LESSON FROM ARAPUNI. Mr. N. H Moss drew attention to the fact that at Arapurii the use of steel sheet piling had been found unsatisfactory- Had the consulting engineers taken that into account. Mr. T. 11. Climie, consulting engineer, said the fact had been considered. In an open soil perhaps the. piling would not be satisfactory. Mr. H.'J. Mai-chant said the members of the Board were moving largely in the dark. Mr. Climie did not seem t 0 be able to find out where the water was corning from. Personally, he would like to be assured that the' specifications, prepared for the making of the dam were sufficient. Mr. M. Gemhoefer said it seemed to him that there had been faulty work in the dam. There was too much water escaping for his hk-

mg. „ Mr. Moss suggested that the level ol ;the lake should be (lowered about five feet, to enable the engineer to test the bores. Mr Climie thought it would »» quite safe to so lower 'the lake level.

PILING APPROVED. Mr Moss: We would lie very glad to have a solution of this trouble. The chairman (Mr. H. G, Carman.) was of opinion that the piling should he put in at once. Mr. Fuxkett advised putting in piling as early as possible, and advised that if steel piling could not be got wooden piling should be used. After the piling was in there might still be the same leakage, but the Board could be assured that there, was no danger ot any trouble with the daan. Mr. Marchant asked about engineer's commission on repairs to the dam.

The chairman said the cost came out of revenue and that therefore there was no provision for engmeer'b commission. Mr. Climie said he would prefer to have a little more information abou* the dam. He thought the piling should go in; but desired to have further information to enable him to determine the exact location of it. This information he could get if the lake level was lowered. It was decided that the work be authorised and be carried carried out after the engineer had made further investigations.