WATER FOR COUNTY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 129, 13 March 1936, Page 6

WATER FOR COUNTY

FARM SOIL SURVEY WORK. DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL. ADDRESS BY DR. I. W. WESTON. The proposed farm survey of the Ashburton County and irrigation work in the County were discussed by Dr. I. W. Weston, of Lincoln College, in a lecture to the Ashburton branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union to-day. Mr J. H. Harper presided. “Because I have come from Lincoln College I propose to tell you first something of the history; of this college—your college,” said the speaker. “This will lead on to a discussion of irrigation and research work in Ashburton County and a discussion of the general economic situation which has made the irrigation and the research work possible. “The college is an institution in which all the young prospective farmers in New Zealand, including Canterbury, should be allowed to take a much more practical interest, being allowed to leave their own home surroundings for two years. “Farming was a profession just the same as any other profession, and much more important since it provided the basis food and raw materials,” he said. “It is because the Government realised the importance of agricultural education and research that in 1929 it took a direct share in addition to the province’s own share in the provision of funds for further education and research. Presumably in its endeavour to raise the standard of living generally it will still further assist agricultural education in the future. Lack of Water Supply. “One of the chief difficulties in farming part of the college land is the lack of water supply,” he said. “It- is hero that a. scheme for water supply is required. Based on Ashburton expert ence, it should he quite practical to inaugurate a- scheme for a water supply from the Rakaia, running through to the Waimakariri and irrigating all the lower dry areas, and incidentally the drier college land. Unfortunately, Ashburton, seems to have been more progressive than the northern counties, and has got the water first.” Irrigation in Ashburton County was then dealt with by the speaker, who said, that, just as had occurred in the past when lines for trains and courses for water-races were being built, tliero would be objections. Some of thoso who were sure of the water going past their own areas would object and want compensation, and those not getting water would want the water diverted into their own areas. But apart from these troubles in a general way, while there was unemployment it was for any possible objectors to irrigation to suggest more useful work to be done. “I consider that unless there is more useful community work, then the real cost is the value of other work that could be done if this work is not done, and this may possibly be nil,” said the speaker. “Hence the Government action. The water may as well run down the water-races as down the rivers. This is more necessary when it is remembered that even at present there is often insufficient water for stock, drinking, bathing, garden and fire protection purposes, and that what tlie land most requires in the summer period is more water—water which, I am told, will definitely only lie paid for as it is bought.” “If the historical point of view is considered,” Dr. Weston continued, “the slump may be cured, so far as Canterbury is concerned, by the increased real wealth obtained through tlie water running down the water-

races instead of the riveis. Reasons for the Survey. This irrigation required new knowledge, hence a soil survey had been instituted. On this survey a farm management survey was being built "up. The farm management survey was designed to show in the irrigation area the present position from which future adjustments in farm management would require to be made. In a general way, throughout the County the farm management survey was designed to get the facts of the present position and assist to make progress conscious and more secure, and less callous than the unconscious progress of tlie past. This was in line with political developments in planning or attempting to plan, and on the economic sido required a knowledge of the present facts about methods of management, costs, and returns on the various types of land, and for the various sizes of farms. ‘We provide the facts on which private action can he baaed,” said Dr. Weston. “We may suggest, as already suggested by the previous political party in its pamphlet on housing, the actual building of suitable houses or provision of working finance in certain economic areas for settlers now through lack of finance unable to provide the housing or the necessary working capital that the community feels should be provided.’’ Five surveys were in hand at present. These were, firstly, Mr J, Fleming’s general county farm management survey in the irrigation area. Mr Fleming was engaged in providing tlio facts about the best methods of management, production costs, and returns for the various soil types. He had already made a preliminary survey of the whole County. He would also mate a specially-detailed survey of the irrigation area and equip lnmself with knowledge Regarding irrigation methods. The additional more detailed surveys would he made of wheat-krowmg on tlie various soil types by Mr Wilkie, cocksfoot growing by Mr Wallace, sheep farming by Mr Harris, and mountain sheep management by Mr Ballinger. For all these surveys popular bulletins- of the general results would be published through local newspapers. The services of young farmers clubs, ami of survey's by various schools willing to co-operate would also be made use of, and there was a possibility of farm competitions and Fanners’ Union lecture discussions. The goodwill and co-operation ot farmers was asked for by Dr. Weston, who referred to the progressiveness of the County. He said that those engaged on the survey were competing with a sijnilar New Zealand soil survey, and Imped to heat the others in the practical utility of the work.