SAFETY OF ARAPUNI

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1931, Page 10

SAFETY OF ARAPUNI

EFFECT OF EARTHQUAKES,

MINISTER’S REPLY TO COUNCIL.

Observations concerning probable, danger to be expected from earthquakes in the Arapuni region are contained in a communication received by the Hamilton Borough Council from tlie Minister of Public Works. The Minister stated that the Government could not comply with the council’s request that, it should enter into an agreement, undertaking to recompense the borough in the event of earthquakes causing more trouble at Arapuni. Neither the Government nor Professor Hornell was of the opinion that there was any undue risk, attaching to Arapuni. It was not considered that this risk was greater than that inherent in the carrying out of any large works of that nature, although it. had been pointed, out that Arapuni was only 40 miles in a direct line from one of the major geological fault lines in New Zealand. It was to be pointed out that probably the great majority of main works in New Zealand were, by there proximity to fault lines, in a more or less similar position and the effect of earthquakes of maximum intensity could not. be guarded against by any construction. The Government would under the circumstances endeavour to do what was right for all the population, but , could not enter into an agreement with the borough for compensation for some suppositious occur ence.