WAITAKI POWER SCHEME

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21239, 10 August 1934, Page 14

WAITAKI POWER SCHEME

COMPLETION IN FEW WEEKS TRIBUTES TO ENGINEER tTBZSS ASSOCIATION TELEOHAU.) OAMARU, August 9. In view of the early completion of the Waitaki dam, about 60 business men of Oamaru, representative of the Oamaru Borough Council, the Waitaki County Council, the Oamaru Harbour Board, the Waitaki Electric Power Board, the Waitaki Hospital Board, the Oamaru Chamber of Coinmerce, and the Oamaru Rotary Club, paid a visit to the Waitaki hydro-electric works this afternoon at the invitation of Mr R. H. Packwood (engineer in charge). The work on the dam has progressed this winter to such a stage that it is only a matter of three or four weeks before the huge structure is completed. Two small gaps in the crest of the wall remain, and arrangements have been made to complete these next week. Of 11 temporary sluiceways in the dam, four have been sealed with concrete, and two are in the process of being sealed, leaving five, of which three more will be sealed during the next two weeks. The remaining two will then be sealed.

While there are two permanent sluiceways to cope with the present flow of the river, Mr Packwood indicated that in the event of a flood, the remaining five gates could be lowered in ihe sluiceways in a hurry when the dam would function in the generation of electricity, and the seaung of the remaining sluiceways could be carried out next August, when the river returns to hs present low level. The organisation of the work is being synchronised to enabie the completion of the dam and the removal of machinery from the upstream side of the dam. Tributes to Mr Packwood Deep appreciation was expressed of Mr PacKwood's assistance and courtesy to local bodies during his six years' stay in North Oiago. The Mayor of Oamaru (Mr M. F. Cooney) paid a tribute to the engineering genius of Mr Packwood and nis organising ability over the staff and workmen in bringing this huge undertaking to a successful conclusion. They were deeply indebted to Mr Pacliwood ana Mrs Packwood for their unfailing courtesy and hospitality. Mr PacKwood had given devoted service to his ueparcment, and on behalf of the citizens lie congratulated him heartily on the success attending his eh'orts. , .

Other speakers also paid high tributes to Mr Packwood's engineering ability, and a hope was expressed that on the accomplisnment of one of the greatest engineering undertakings in the history of the Public WorKS Department, he be raised to the highest place in the department. . . Mr Cooney, on behalf of the citizens, presented him with a gift for Mrs Packwood in appreciation of her hospitality and the great assistance she had given her husband. In reply, Mr Packwood thanked the members and officers of the local bodies for their help and courtesy to him, and for the tangible appreciation of Mrs Packwood's hospitality. He acknowledged the cooperation of the staff, and specially mentioned the work of Messrs Bignell (overseer), Geddes (powerhouse construction staff), and White (mechanical staff). The designer of the scheme. Mr F. T. M. Kissel, chief electrical engineer of the Public Works Department, would be proud of the successful carrying out of the work. He was pleased to note the harbour board's progressive proposal to deepen the water of Oamaru port, and hoped the district, with electricity and limestone, and a deeper port, would set up an industry is the manufacture of nitrates.