DEATH OF PROMINENT P.W. ENGINEER

Chronicle (Levin), 6 January 1948, Page 4

DEATH OF PROMINENT P.W. ENGINEER

WELLINGTON, Jan. 6. The death has occurred in Wellington afcer a long illness, of Mr. Thomas George Gordon Beck, Deputy Commissioner of Works. ( Aged 47, Mr. Bebk had a brilliant career and won meteorie promotion after his return in 193"3 irom the United States, where he carried out advanced engineering - studies, particularly in irrigation and river control. . He was born at Palmerston, Otago, and joined the Public Works * • Departmen't in 1919. He worked ih various parts Of New Zealand and'" " Was assistant - engineer at Otira Tunnel. His most notabie work in river control was done in Canterb'ury, particularly in the midCanterbury irrigation and hydro scheme, which ihvolves the diversion of the Rangitata to the bed of • the Rakaia River. He pioneered the use of modern earth-moving niachmery in New Zealand. Another big irrigation work ih Canterbury was the down-lands' Water supply scheme, and at the Tekapo hydro development he introduced the "shield" method of tunnel driving. In 1942 Mr. Beck was transferred to the Wellington head office and rose rapidly to the position he occupipd when overtaken by illness. He was a .very active member of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Board. He leaves a widow and four children.