HYDRO-ELECTRIC WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21875, 10 August 1934, Page 13

HYDRO-ELECTRIC WORK

GKEAT WAITAKI DAM COMPLETION IN FEW WEEKS ENGINEER CONGRATULATED [BY TKLKGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] OAMARU, Thursday Tn view of tlic early completion of the Waitaki dam, about 60 business men of Oamarii paid a visit to the Waitaki hydro-electric works this afternoon at the invitation of Mr. It. 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 fill these next week. Of the 11 temporary sluiceways in the dam, four have been sealed with concrete and two are in the process of being sealed, leaving five remaining, of which three more will 1)6 sealed during the next couple of weeks. The remaining two will then bp sealed.

While the two permanent sluiceways 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 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 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 upstream side of the dam to be carried out at the same time.

Opportunity was taken to express appreciation of Mr. Packwood's assistance and courtesy to local bodies during bis six years' stay in North Otago.

The Mayor of Oamaru, Mr. M. F. Cooney, paid a tribute to the engineering genius of Mr. Packwood and his organising ability over the staff and workmen in bringing this huge undertaking to a successful conclusion. They were deeply indebted to Mr. 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. Mr. Cooney, on behalf of the citizens, presented Mr. Packwood 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 represented for their help and courtesy to him and for their tangible appreciation of Mrs. Packwood's hospitality. He acknowledged the cooperation of the staff. The designer of the scheme, Mr. F. T. M. Kissel, chief electrical engineer, would be proud gf the successful carrying out of the work.

Mr. Packwood said he was pleased to note the Harbour Board's progressive proposal to deepen the water of the Oamaru port, and he hoped tho district, with electricity and limestone and a deeper port, would become industrial in the manufacture of nitrates.