American Aid For Dam At Maraetai

Chronicle (Levin), 22 December 1949, Page 7

American Aid For Dam At Maraetai

WELLINGTON, Dec. 21. EH'ect vvould be given to. ceYtain pre antiouary recommendations of Mr J Sav age, American consul'tiiig engin •er, iu regard to the constfuction oi ..he Maraetai Dam, said the Minister o: v orks, Mr Goosman, today. Mr Goosman said Mr Savage's repor -.overed the vvhole field of the Govern nent's hydro-electric develdpmeul am. lis comments were very t'avourablc .lowever, it was not expected that tlii. would have the effect of delaving thonstruction of Maraetai. Mr Savage recommended that, in regard ro the suitability of the rock ai Maraetai for carrying arcli thrusts fo the concrete arch d^m/ careful stres.-s-tudies should be made. He suggested hat through Government cha-npels, a request be made for the assistance ot rhe engineering department of the chie/ •ingineer's office of the Bureau of Re clamation in Denver, Colorado, wher the staff was speeially equipped. fo these long and eomplex studies am should be able to supply the infornia tion required witliin a month or two. Mr Savage said the general layout adopted at Maraetai was most ecoiioui. :al and suited to the site but,speciaJ a: ;ention should be given to the grpuLin if the surroundiug rock and he urgei liat an American expert be brought Maraetai for a month during the grout n g period, to organise and advise ro >'arding these important operations. Mr Goosman said tonight that M iames, of the chief designing engnmr's staff, diad already been ..-seut c . Jenver and arrangements vve're in traii •o bring out immediately, a grouting ex >ert. as recommended by Mr Savage The whole matter liad been discusse-l .-'ully between Mr Savage and Nevs Zealand engineers before Mr Savag eft New Zealand.