THE WAITAKI DAM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22718, 2 November 1935, Page 25

THE WAITAKI DAM

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —It is a wonder so little_ has appeared in the daily press regarding what seems to be a huge blunder which has been made in the construction of the Waitaki dam. For nearly 12 months men have been employed doing all kinds of work to stop the leak. They tipped barrels of concrete, wool packs of concrete, loads of straw and shingle and almost half the hill into the lake in order to stop the leak. There has also been a crowd of men working night shifts and all Sundays for months, pouring thusands of barrels of bitumen into the lake. It is said that the plans were altered when the dam was being built, 60 that the concrete fender below the gates, which was intended, according to the plans, was replaced by 60me other device. This mistake must have cost many thousands, and the Minister of Public Works should hold an inquiry and not let it be thought that the person responsible is being sheltered. In fact, an inquiry into the present working would be desirable to show that public money was not being wasted. —I am, etc., Inquiry. Waitaki Hydro, October 29.