POSITION AT ARAPUNI,

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18048, 17 June 1930, Page 6

POSITION AT ARAPUNI,

THE OFFICIALS MUZZLED. DECISION BY MINISTER. The press is not now in a position to provide any 'official information in regard to Arapuni. A representative was informed that the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. W. B. Taverner, had decided to issue all information himself. The absurdity of this decision is emphasised by the fact that the heads of the department, of which Air Taverner has had control for two weeks, are on the spot. Obviously a ! Atinister who is new to his job and has no engineering knowledge must be guided by his experts. Thus in his room in Wellington or wherever he may be, he will issue statements based on the telegraphed daily reports of Air F. W. Furkert, chief engineer. The frankness of the chiefs of the department and the staff has been the greatest factor in allaying the wholly unjustified sense of panic which developed at the first report of the earth movement, but the Ministerial decision to muzzle the staff will at once be interpreted by the public as an indication that the position is one of great gravity. Although no official information is available there is evidence of intention to sink a shaft behind the powerhouse. This, of course, will soon go below the .bed of the river in the gorge. Yesterday the diversion tunnel gates had an aperture of 7ft. 9in. and the tunnel was carrying about the same volume as during the last few days, say the normal flow of the river plus 50 per cent. The level of the lake had fallen 27ft. 4in. by yesterday afternoon and a rough -calculation shows that about half its volume has been discharged. At this rate the lake will have vanished in about two weeks. POSITION AT AUCKLAND. THE KING’S I WHARF STATION. AUCKLAND, Tuesday. The Auckland Power Board’s position following the closing of Arapuni was reviewed at a meeting of the board yesterday. The general manager was instructed lo open negotiations with the coal authorities for supplies of coal, to have a contract drawn up and to report to the board* During the discussion the chairman, Mr \V. .1. Holdsworth, said: “ With the development of pulverised coal the establishment of a steam plant at Iluntly as a standby is well worth considering.” Air E. 11. Potter asked the chairman whether he had considered flora flora, lie understood that one set there was out of commission.

Air Holdsworth said there might be one or perhaps two small ones not in use. Two machines had been dismantled, and no attempt had been made to replace them. “ If they added another turbine it would be better than providing another .steam plant,” said Air Potter.