IDLE FOR TWELVE MOOTS

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1930, Page 11

IDLE FOR TWELVE MOOTS

DAMAGE AT ARAPUNI WORKS

DEWATERING OF BOTH LAKES.

MINISTER’S DENIAL OF RUMOURS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Arapuni plant would be out of operation for a considerable time, for Whatever remedial measuree were found necessary could not be hurried, said the Minister of , Public Works, the Hon. W. B. Taverner, to-day. It was anticipated, that at the present rate of water flow through the diversion tunnel the water level behind the main dam would be reduced to the normal river level in twelve days, while the de-watering of the head race would have progressed in two or three days sufficiently for inspection purposes. Until the geological inspection was completed it was obviously premature to consider to what extent structure repairs .would have to be put in hand. In the light -of the geologists’ observations the engineers would be able to devise means of counteracting further movement, but the technical preparations would take time. Until that stage had been reached reliable estimates of the work or the expenditure necessary could not be made. Mr. T&verner referred to detailed pro- « posals for meeting the trouble which had been telegraphed from Auckland as “speculations.” A .flat denial of the statement telegraphed from Auckland that the head race, together with the cliff and face of the falls below the spillway, were to be concreted has been issued by the Minister* “This statement,” said the Minister, “Is entirely unauthorised. Up to the moment ,no such proposal has supplied to me. In ; any. •ease it will be a matter f.or the. Cabinet to decide what expenditure should be authorised. “It is not "my. intention,” added the Minister, “to make any hasty decision.. The problem.. .is •} one presenting such extraordinary:.conditions that, the fullest possible information will be required: before anything can be done.” “ELECTRIC POWER TO SPARE.” PROPOSALS TO LINK SYSTEMS. Auckland, June 12. Tt ; is understood'that it' will be at least twelve months before the Ara--■puni hydro-electric works will again be in action. , . Mr. Furkert (chief engineer) says that ae the work proposed is very considerable. . it . is ' impossible to estimate the time it will take. The standby plants were sufficient to meet require-' mentf And, taking the maximum load of last month as a criterion, there would be power to spare. The linking of Arapuni and Waikaremoana would not be accomplished for 18 months. Waikaremoana had already been linked with Mangahao and the line from Stratford to Mangahao was almost completed. : Another line would be constructed' from Arapuni to Stratford, completing the circuit. In the event of a breakdown in any district power could then be supplied from the nearest station. Some difficulty is being experienced by the Auckland Power Board in maintaining the continuity of supply. An interruption last night may recur tonight. Friday night, with its heavy load/ is also causing considerable anxiety,