THE TALISMAN DAM.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4923, 8 January 1926, Page 2

THE TALISMAN DAM.

DEMOLITION BY DYNAMITEWATER RELEASED SAFELY. After functioning for nearly twenty years the Talisman dam, situated in. the Karangahake Gorge across the Ohinemuri River, .whs freed by Mr E. Shaw, Ohinemuri county engineer, and his staff on Wednesday.

Owing to the heavy damage done to the adjacent road and railway line by the dam overflowing at its wings whenever there was a fresh on in the river in the past, representations, were made by tlie Ohinemui County Council, to tlie owners,’Messrs R. M. Aitken and Son, for its removal. Having no further, use for the structure,' the owners were agreeable to the council effecting the demolition, with the consent of tlie Mines Depa.tment. The necessary permission having been obtained, Mr Shaw took advantage of the fine weather and the lbw state of the river to carry out the work. Thel task of releasing the water from the dam, which measured about two chains across, and varied in depth up to 12 feet, was no easy task. After certain preliminary work had been done Mr Shaw laid several charges of dynamite in front of the main flam gateway and several more charges, round various parts of the dam. At a given signal these charges were exploded, the result being highly satisfactory. The pent-up water got away with a rush, but .the river-bed provided ample space for the sudden volume, a“nd no damage was caused.

Much valuable timber will be taken from the dam when it drains sufficiently. This has been purchased by the county council, and will Ire useful for bridge repair work. -