WAITAKI DAM

Northern Advocate, 10 August 1934, Page 4

WAITAKI DAM

WORK NEAR COMPLETION. INCREASED ELECTRIC POWER. PINE ENGINEERING FEAT. (Per Press Association.—Conyrlght.) OAMARU, This Day. In view of the early completion of the Waitaki dam, about 60 businessmen of Oamaru paid a visit to the AVaitaki hydro-electric works yesterday afternoon, at the invitation of Air R. H. PackAvood, 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 fill those next week. Of the .11 temporary sluiceways in the dam, four have been sealed with concrete and two are in process of being scaled, leaving five remaining, of which three more will be sealed during the next couple of weeks. The remaining two will then be sealed.

While the two permanent sluiceways cope with the present How of the river, Air Packwood indicated that, in the event of a flood, the remaining five gates could be lowered in the sluiceways quickly. The dam would function in the generating of electricity and the sealing of the remaining sluiceways would be carried out next August, when the river returned to its present low level.

The .organisation of the work is being synchronised to enable the completion of the dam and the removal of the machinery from the up-stream side of the dam to be carried out at the same time.

Opportunity was taken to express appreciation of Air Packwood's assistance and courtesy to local bodies during his six. years' stay in' North Otago. The Mayor of Oamaru, Air AI. F. Cooney, paid a tribute to the engineering genius of Air Packwood and his organising ability over the staff and workmen in bringing his huge undertaking to a successful conclusion. They were deeply indebted to Air and Airs Packwood for their unfailing courtesy and hospitality. Air PackAvood had given devoted service to las department, and on behalf of the citizens he congratulated him heartily on the success attending his efforts. Other speakers also paid high tribute to Air PackAvood's engineering ability. Air Cooney, on behalf of the citizens, presented Mr PackAvood Avith a gift for Airs PackAvood, in appreciation of her hospitality and the, general assistance, she had given her husband.

In reply, Mr PackAvood thanked the members and officers of the local bodies represented for their help and courtesy to him, and for their tangible appreciation of Airs PackAvood's hospitality. He< acknoAvledged the co-operation of the staff. The designer of the scheme, Air F. T. AI. Kissel, chief electrical engineer, Avould be proud of the successful carrying out of the Avork. Air PackAvood said he A\ r as pleased to note the Harbour Board’s progressive proposal to deepen the A\ r ater of the Oamaru port, and he hoped that the district, with electricity and limestone and a deeper port, Avould become active in the manufacture of nitrate.