Hello again.
My reply would be that with both sides of the Tasman there was considerable experience with large engineering projects. Originally timber and gold winning, then into railways, and hydro and public water supply works, before the depression started to bite into the respective economies. Big items of plant would have been obtained by tender, from the industrial cities like Glasgow and shipped out in pieces to be fabricated on site. Like the pelton wheels, turbines etc.
From what I have read of the forum threads your subject by then was in his mid to late twenties, probably following war time service, which could have added to his labouring based skill set, with service in the transport, and or, engineering Corps. Likewise by the 1920's stationary motors were finding their way even into out back rural communities, for logging, milking and shearing, so young men with a mechanical bent would have been readily available to step up, and take charge of one.
From previous research, I would be inclined to believe that he learnt of this public works project from contacts, and may have even travelled with a mate to the work in NZ. Proving it being an other story as you well know.
Alan.
PS From research into the 1920's West Auckland Nihotupu Dam project, I know with that dam there were many locally published and non published accounts by those associated with the project. Several being well illustrated with photos etc. It could well be worthwhile making contact with Shannon local historians and local libraries.
