WAITAKI DAM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 221, 18 September 1936, Page 8

WAITAKI DAM

CLOSING OF SLUICE GATES STATEMENT BY MINISTER (Per Piess Association) WELLINGTON, Sept. 17. In the Public Works Statement presented io the House this week the Minister for Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, referred io certain work regarding the closing of three temporary sluice gates through the Waitaki dam. The Minister indicated that this work could only be carried out during low water conditions, and that he expected the last gate would be closed shortly. Interviewed to-day Mr. Semple said the last of these sluices was closed yesterday. There was still a certain amount of work to be done with the concrete and the grouting, but the critical work had now’ been completed and the water which had been passing through the open portion of these temporary sluices was now completely blocked. The Minister said the past winter had not been very suitable for work as the river had been much in flood for that, period of the year '■nd this had made the task much more difficult. In paying tribute to the staff and the men who had been associated with the work, the Minister said they carried out the work under very vet and trying conditions in a way which showed very keen interest in the many problems with which they °re faced.