COUNTY IRRIGATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 196, 1 June 1934, Page 6

COUNTY IRRIGATION.

IMPORTANCE NOT REALISED.

VALUE OF THE SOIL SURVEY. “It is doubtful if many of our farmers realise the importance and future value of the investigations and surveys which are at present under way in our district in regard to ' irrigation,” stated the president of the Farmers’ Union Executive (Air A. P. Bruce), in his address to the conference to-day. “At the request of the County Council, an officer of the Public Works Department was instructed by the Government to carry out investigations into the potential sources of water supplies for the Alount Hutt district. This officer was also instructed by the Government to make a complete survey of the County and tabulate the necessary data on the quantity of water available for irrigation purposes, its availability, and the suitability of the plains for irrigation purposes. This work is well under way. “The officer appointed is a specialist in irrigation, having been sent abroad to acquire experience of similar work, and this factor should carry great weight when his reports and recommendations are under consideration. “An officer of the Department of Scientifivo Research has also been placed at the disposal of the County by the Government, for the purpose of compiling a survey of soil. He has already visited all districts, has taken samples of the soil and subsoil and made other investigations, and is now engaged in tabulating the results.

“AVhen these two specialists’ reports, the first, showing the quantity and availability of water, and the second showing the nature of the soil and its suitability for irrigation purposes, are taken together, information of the greatest value to the development and progress of our County may he obtained, and it is hoped that full use may he made of it. ‘‘Our district is particularly fortunate in obtaining the services of these officers, and we are indebted to the Government for placing them at our disposal, free of cost, to the County Council for its co-operation, and to the Canterbury Progress. League, which has taken such an active interest in the work.”