IRRIGATION PLAN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 32, 17 November 1939, Page 6

IRRIGATION PLAN

COMPENSATION TO FARMERS. REPLY FROM THE MINISTER. The question of compensation to farmers whose lands are traversed by races in the Mid-Canterbury irrigation scheme,, was recently raised by the Methven branch of the Farmers’ Union, who wrote to the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) for information on the subject. A reply was received by the Mid-Canterbury Executive of the Farmers’ Union to-day. With regard to compensation, stated the Minister, each case will be considered bn its merits, having regard also to any betterment to the property due to the availability of water for irrigation, and if the owners of land will forward to the Department details of their claims, together with a description of the land affected, such claims would be given consideration. The question of rates and land tax had already been taken up with the Valuation Department, continued the Minister. This had been done with a view to having the areas actually fenced off and the larger races deleted from the valuation roll and thus exempted from future rates and land tax. This would not apply to the smaller races.

“Although the owners may lose the use of small areas, they will have the use of grazing of part of the areas affected, and in most cases they will, in addition, receive a benefit from the provision of water for irrigation, the value of which will more than offset the loss.

“The standing committee has discussed the letter and it ddes not' seem very satisfactory,” said Mr T. V. Wilkinson, who presided. Ho stated that the Methven branch, which had written to the Minister in the first place, would discuss the question at a meeting this month. It was decided to leave the matter over until a reporjf was received from tho (Methven branch.