ARAPUNI SITUATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 994, 10 June 1930, Page 10

ARAPUNI SITUATION

(Continued from Page 1.) Mr. W. J. Holdswortb, chairman of the Auckland Board, left last evening for 'Wellington to attend a meeting of | the Local Government Loans Board, but, in Wellington, he will discuss the position at Arapuni too. There is, indeed, an effort on foot to arrange a conference with the Public Works Department. Mr. Holdsworth’s view is that no correct judgment can be made until the result is heard of the inspection after the spillway is unwatered. At a meeting of the board in committee yesterday afternoon, a decision to assist the department in every possible way was made. CLOSING TOMORROW WATER IN HEADRACE FALLING RAPIDLY DRAINING THE LAKE According to a statement made by Mr. F. W. Furkert, chief of the Public Works Department, this morning, the generators at Arapuni will close down on Wednesday morning. By that time the lowered level in the headrace will be causing the water to flow more swiftly, and there will be a danger of the stream taking mud and silt into the generators unless closed down. With the plant shut, down a thorough investigation of the headrace will be made. When the headrace is dry the gap in the joint between the weir and the intake structure will be sealed. Other points of leakage may also be discovered. To reduce the head under which the 'diversion tunnel is working, it will be necessary to reduce considerably the level of the lake. This will be done not only to reduce the tremendous strain to which the tunnel Is being subjected, but also to obviate the danger that might occur in handling a big volume of water through the tunnel in the event of floods adding to the difficulties at present confronting the engineers. At an early hour this morning light rain was falling at Arapuni. Mount Maungatautari’s high peak was shrouded in a thick mist, by no means a comforting sign when flue weather is desired. “We don’t want any floods just now,” remarked Mr. Furkert, an opinion which is shared by all those engaged upon the investigation and repair of the present trouble. Very little hope is held out that Arapuni will be in commission again for some months. Once the cause of the leaks is discovered, considerable work lies ahead before a recurrence is prevented. This may entail the lining of the headrace with concrete, not only a lengthy, but also a very expensive undertaking. With the concreting of the river and falls below the weir aud the repairs to the headrace., a big job is in store. Arapuni’s repair bill is mounting up. MESSAGE TO CONSUMERS WAITE MATA CHAIRMAN’S PLEA CURTAILMENT IN PEAK HOURS The following message to consumers was issued today by Mr. G. Trevithick, chairman of the Waitemata Electric-Power Board.: “The Waitemata Power Board has been officially notified by the Public Works Department that the Arapuni electrical works has been shut down for an indefinite period. The department has further notified the board that, its present demand of power cannot fully bo supplied at certain definite hours. This means, in effect, that unless all consumers whole-heartedly co-operate to reduce their demand during these hours, they will be switched off the Government system until they do. “Over the whole area the dangerous hours are between 4 p.m. and 10.30 p.m. The following effective methods of reducing demand must be immediately given effect to:—“The number of lights switched on simultaneously must be the absolute minimum. All continuously-running lights, such as passage and verandah lights must be cut out. No radiators are to be used during the dangerous hours. Cook at midday where possible during the winter months. Use standard lamps or other extensions for reading. Reduce the candle-power wherever possible. Look upon the power board as your own personal property, a machine that is your own. It is now over-loaded; therefore, what is more natural than to reduce the demand upon it? “It is hoped,” said Mr. Trevithick, “that by adopting the means suggested above, other and more drastic measures to give effect to the department’s ultimatum will be avoided. The revenue received by the hoard will suffer by reason of a considerable reduction in consumers’ accounts, but the finances of the board are in a sufficiently strong and healthy condition to meet all likely demands. "The present demand on Arapuni fluring the peak hours amounts to approximately 2.300 kilowatts, and the total allocation now allowed from Horahora is 1,880 kilowatts. The curtailment now asked is universal over the whole area, and is arbitrary. It must come nto operation tomorrow ■Wednesday, June 11.” RIVER RISES FOUR FEET ROWING CLUB’S PRECAUTIONS Front Our Own Correspondent HAMILTON, Today. Since Saturday the Waikato River at Hamilton has risen four feet and the Rowing Club, whose boatshed is only a few feet from the. water’s edge, de- < cided as a precautionary measure to remove all its boats. The entire fleet, valued at £1,400, has been installed in the Drill Hall.