ARAPUNI'S SAFETY

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 3203, 25 February 1930, Page 5

ARAPUNI'S SAFETY

LITTLE FURTHER EROSION.

A REASSURING STATEMENT,

"There has' been no appreciable erosion at the Arapuni Spillway since the occurrence in August," said the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, yesterday. "I am very gratified to know that such is the case, and, given another month or two, we should be 'able to divert enough water through the penstock tunnels to enable careful examination of the spillway to be made."

The Minister said a recent test of the by-pass tunnel had proved very satisfactory, although it was not intended to put water through that tunnel unless absoluely necessary. The penstock tunnels known as numbers seven and eight had been driven with the object of taking the surplus water, and he had been advised that those two tunnels, together with the three penstock tunnels used for operating the three units at the powerhouse, would practically take the normal flow of the Waikato River. If there' was any water in excess of that dealt with by those five tunnels, it would be necessary to use the by-pass tunnel. "Until we get the spillway area dry Ave do not know the precise nature of the work that will have to be undertaken," added the Minister. "A thorough examination of the waterfall will then bo undertaken.