Top power construction man retires

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 57, 18 July 1974, Page 7

Top power construction man retires

Mr Les Bunney, a top construction supervisor with Tongariro Power Development at Turangi, retired last week after 33 years in the public service. He was born in Akaroa and after serving an apprenticeship as a carpenter/joiner in Christchurch he began building bridges on the West Coast. In 1936 he joined the public works, building bridges for the railway line being constructed through the Buller Gorge to Westport. He became an overseer two years later. For a while after the railway was completed, Mr Bunney was on aerodrome construction at Carters Beach near Westport, and at Ohakea. He soon returned though to building bridges on the Westport -' Karamea highway. His short spell at Ohakea, however, must have given him a taste for the North Island life. In 1944 he transferred to Karapiro as building overseer — and for most of the next 30 years was involved on "the river."

While at Karapiro he assisted with the installation . of the last two machines at the Arapuni power station. After the Karapiro construction was completed and as the lake was being filled, Mr Bunney had some of his most interesting experiences. The construction village, which was still occupied, was below the eventual lake level, and he was one of those responsible for moving the houses, and occupants, to the new site at Mangakino. One who was moved then confirms he was warned of his move at 3 p.m". one day — and by 1 1 a.m. the next morning he and his family and his house were on the road to Mangakino. On arrival on the site the family was put into temporary accommodation while a contract gang fixed the home up and they moved back within a week. About 160 houses and families were moved in this way, and Les Bunney reckons he was on the receiving end of much

vocal comment during that time. In May, 1947, he was appointed the first workshop manager in the Hamilton district office and then for a few years he left the "works." He returned to the river team when it was working on the Whakamaru station, and subsequently worked on every station on the river except Maraetai I. When work was resumed on Maraetai II, Les Bunney was responsible for* rebuilding parts -of Mangakino with houses from Matahina, and he was the last member of the staff on the residency when Maraetai was completed. He came to the Tongariro project in 1972 and, as

inspector of works, was responsible for concrete inspection. Because of his wide experience of concrete, one of his last jobs was to produce a training film. Lasting about half an hour, the film shows all stages of the making and placing of concrete, and is to be u'sed on the project. Les Bunney was for many years vice-president and later president of the Welfare Association, from " its early days at Karapiro. He is a keen gardener and student of wild-life. He has had a house in Taupo for eight years, to which he and his wife are to retire to enjoy the odd spot of gardening or flyfishing.