AMERICAN EXPERT TO GIVE ADVICE ON GROUTING AT MARAETAI

Wanganui Chronicle, 22 December 1949, Page 8

AMERICAN EXPERT TO GIVE ADVICE ON GROUTING AT MARAETAI

WELLINGTON, Last Night (PA).Effect would be given to certain precautionary recommendat'ons of Dr. J. L. Savage, American consulting engineer, in regard to the construction of Maraetai dam, said the Minister of Works (Mr. Goosman) today. Mr. Goosman said Dr. Savage’s report covered the whole field of the Government's hydro-electric development and his comments were very favourable. However, it was not expected that this would have the effect of delaying the construction of Maraetai. Dr. Savage recommended that in regard to suitabality of rock at Maraetai for carrying arch thrusts for a concrete arch dam, careful stress studies should be made. He suggested that, through Government channels, request should be made for the assistance of the engineering department, of the chief engineer’s office of the Bureau of Reclamation in Denver, Colorado, where the staff was specially equipped for these long and complex studies and should be able to supply the information required within a month or two. Dr Savage said the general layout adopted at Maraetai was most economical and suited to the site, but special attention should be given to the grouting of the surrounding rock and he urged that, an American expert be brought to Maraetai for a month during the grouting period to organise and advise regarding these important operations.

Mr. Goosman said tonight that Mr. James of the chief designing engineer's staff had already been sent to Denver and arrangements were in train to bring out immediately a grouting expert recommended by Dr. Savage. The whole matter had been discussed fully between Dr. Savage and the New Zealand engineers before Dr. Savage left New Zealand.