THE WAITAKI DAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3993, 23 September 1930, Page 23

THE WAITAKI DAM.

ENGINEER’S REASSURING STATEMENT.

RUMOURS CHARACTERISED AS “ BUNKUM.”

OAMARU, September 15. Due no doubt to the trouble experienced at Arapuni, and emphasised by the present water shortage at Lake Coleridge, persistent rumours have been abroad that all is not well at the Waitaki dam. It has been suggested that a fissure in the foundation at Waitaki has jeopardised the scheme and that tons of concrete have been poured into it in an unavailing at-, tempt to find the bottom. When approached to-night on the subject, the engineer in charge of the works (Mr R. H, "Packwood) laughingly characterised the rumour as “ Bunkum.” Mr Packwood stated that everything in connection with the construction of the dam was as it should be. They had experienced an excellent run with the weather, and progress at the works was up to schedule. He gave an authoritative assurance that there was nothing at all in the rumour. When reference was made to the question recently raised in Parliament as to the nature of the foundation, Mr Packwood repeated his assurance, given some time ago, that the rock was quite suitable for the purpose and would stand the stress and weight imposed on it by tlxe huge mass of concrete in'the dam. Since then, he added, nothing had arisen to give cause for alarm or anxiety, and all was well with the construction work. With the exception of about 10 feet, the concrete had been placed into position on the foundation for the stretch contained in the large cofferdam on the South Canterbury side of the river. The wall of the dam was in various stages of progress, and a portion had been completed as high as it was intended to take it this year. The completion of the upper portion of the wall was reserved for a later date. Mr Packwood concluded by stating that work was proceeding smoothly on the construe' tion of the power house, and in general progress was up to schedule and in every way satisfactory.