NEARING COMPLETION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 11 August 1934, Page 7

NEARING COMPLETION

WAITAKI HYDRO. WORK vV- TRIBUTES- TO -ENGINEER •Wi S i, ‘- ■ ■ ■ (By Telegraph—Press Association) OAMARU, 9th August. In view of the early completion ofthe Waitaki dam, about sixty business men of Gamaru—representatives 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 Commerce, and the Oamaru Rotary Club —paid a visit to the Waitaki hydro-electric works this afternoon, at the invitation of Mr R. H. Paqkwood, the engineer in charge. Work on the dam has progressed this winter to such a stage that it will be 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 eleven 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 permit of the completion of the dam and the removal of machinery from the upstream side of the dam.'

At the same time opportunity was taken to express deep appreciation ot 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 Pack wood and his 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 the hope was expressed that on ac* complishment of one of the greatest en. gineering undertakings in the history of tlie 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. 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 mentioned the work of Mr Bignoll (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 tlie successful carrying out of the work. Mr Packwood said he was pleased u> note the Harbour Board’s progressiva proposal to deepen the water of Oamaru P ol t, and hoped that the district, with electricity and limestone and a deeper port, would become interested in the manufacture of nitrates.