COMPLETION WITHIN A MONTH

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 269, 10 August 1934, Page 12

COMPLETION WITHIN A MONTH

Waitaki Hydro-Electric Power Works OAMARU TRIBUTE TO ENGINEER By Telegraph.—Press Association. Oamaru, August 9. In view of the early completion of the Waitaki dam, about 60 business men of Oamaru —representatives of tlie Oamaru Borough Council, the Waitaki County Council, the Oamaru Harbour Board, the Waitaki Electric Power Board, tlie Waitaki Hospital Board, the Oamaru Chamber of Commerce,’ and the Oamaru Rotary Club paid a visit to the Waitaki hydroelectric works this afternoon, at the invitation of Mr. R. H. Packwood, the engineer in charge. Work on the dam has progressed this winter to such a stage that it is only a matter of three or four weeks before tho 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; two are in process of being sealed, leaving five remaining, of which three more will be sealed during the next couple of weeks. The remaining two will then be sealed while two permanent sluiceways cope with the present flow of the river. Mr. Packwood indicated that in the event of flood the remaining five gates could be lowered' in the sluiceways in a hurry, when the dam would function in the generation of electricity, and the sealing of the remaining sluiceways could be carried out next August when the river returns to its present low level. The organisation of the work is being synchronised to enable the completion of the dam and the removal of machinery from the upstream side of the dam. Engineer Thanked. At the same time opportunity was taken to express deep appreciation of Mr. Packwood’s assistance and courtesy to local bodies during his six years’ stay in North Otago. The Mayor of Oamaru, Mr. M. F. Cooney, paid a tribute to the engineering ability of Mr. Packwood and organising ability over the staff and the workmen in bringing this huge undertaking to a successful conclusion. They were deeply indebted to Mr. Packwood and Mrs. Packwood for their unfailing courtesy and hospitality. Mr. Packwood had given devoted service to his department, and on behalf of the citizens he congratulated him heartily on the success attending his efforts. Other speakers also paid high tributes to Mr. Packwood’s, engineering ability and hope was expressed that on accomplishment of one of the greatest engineering undertakings in the history of the Public Works Department he would be raised to the highest place in the department. Mr. Cooney on behalf of the citizens presented him with a present for Mrs. Packwood in appreciation of her hospitality and the great assistance she had given her husband. Industrial Prospects.

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 co-operation of the staff and specially mentiorvd the work of Mr. Bignell (overseer), Mr. Geddes (powerhouse construction), and Mr. White (mechanical). The designer of the scheme, Mr. F. T. M. Kissel, chief electrical engineer, 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 Oainaru port, and hoped the district with electricity and limestone and a deeper port would become interested in the manufacture of nitrates. ,