WAITAKI DAM LEAKAGE

Evening Star, Issue 22447, 18 September 1936, Page 13

WAITAKI DAM LEAKAGE

LAST OF SLUICE GATES CLOSED MINISTER PRAISES WORKMEN [Fkom Due Parliamentary Riportee.] WELLINGTON, September 17. “ The last of the three temporary jsluice gates through the Waitaki dam was closed yesterday, according to an announcement made to-day by the Minister of Public Works (Mr Semple). The Minister paid a tribute to the men who carried out the work of closing tile gates under trying conditions. “In the Public Works Statement, which was presented in the House of Representatives this week, I made reference to certain work in connection with the closing of these gates,” Mr Semple said, “ and I stated that the last gate was expected to be closed shortly. It is satisfactory to be able to announce that it was closed yesterday. There is still a certain amount of work to be done in the way of concreting and grouting, but the critical work has been completed, and the water which has been passing through the open portion of those temporary sluices is now completely blocked.” The Minister said the past winter had not been very suitable for work as the river had been a good deal in flood during that time, thus making the task much more difficult. Consequently the staff and other men engaged had had to carry out their work under wet and trying conditions, and they deserved credit for the manner in which they had faced the problems encountered.