EARLY COMPLETION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18472, 10 August 1934, Page 5

EARLY COMPLETION

WAITAKI HYDRO SCHEME VISIT OF INSPECTION PRAISE FOR ENGINEER (Per Press Association.) OAMARU, this day. In view of the early completion of the Waitaki dam, about CO business men of Oamaru, representatives of the Oamaru Borough Council, Waitaki County Council, Oamaru Harbor Board, Waitaki Electric Power Board, Waitaki Hospital Board, Oamaru Chamber of Commerce, and Oamaru Rotary Club, paid a visit to the Waitaki liydro-electric works yesterday afternoon, at the invitation of Mr. R. M. Packwood, engineer in charge. 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 boon made to complete these next week. Of 11 temporary sluiceways in the dam, four have been sealed with concrete, and two are in progress 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 scaled, while two permanent sluiceways will cope with tile 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 tho sealing of the remaining sluiceways could be carried out next August, when tho river returns to its prese’nt low level. The organisation of the work is being synchronised to enable the completion of the dam and the removal of machinery from the upstream side of tho dam at the same time. Opportunity was taken to express deep appreciation of Mr. Packwood's assistance and courtesy to local bodies during his six years’ stay in North Otago. FUTURE OF DISTRICT Tho Mayor of Oamaru, Mr. M. F. Cooney, paid a tribute to the engineering genius of Mr. Packwood, and the organising ability of the staff, and the workmen in bringing this huge undertaking to a sucessful 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 ou the success attending his efforts. Other speakers also paid high tributes to Mr. Packwood's engineering ability, and the hope was expressed that on the accomplishment of one of tho greatest engineering undertakings in the history of tho 1 Public Works Department he would be raised to the highest place in the depart.-, ment. Mr. Cooney, on behalf of the citizens, presented Mr. Packwood with a gift for Mrs. Packwood ‘in appreciation of her hospitality and the great assistance she had given her husband;: In reply, Mr. Packwood thanked the mombers and officers of the local bodies for their help and courtesy to him, and for the tangible appreciation of Mrs. Packwood'S hospitality. lie acknowledged the co-operation of the staff, and specially mentioned the work of Messrs. Bignell, Geddes, and White. The designer of the scheme, Mr. F. T. M. Kissel, the chief electrical engineer, would be proud of tho successful- carrying out of the work. He was pleased to note the Harbor Board’s progressive proposal to deepen the water of Oamam port, and he hoped that the district, with electricity and limestone and a deeper port, would become active in the manufacture of nitrates.