IRRIGATION IN AUSTRALIA.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 964, 3 February 1915, Page 3

IRRIGATION IN AUSTRALIA.

—Good Progress Made-^-According to the report of the New South Wales Irrigation Commission ■';. for the year just ended, sufficient , funds were provided by the government to enable construction work, in, connection with the Murrumbidgee scheme to be carried on al a steady rate. The result is that during the year about 200 farms have 'been made available, varying in size from 5t02 00 acres 551 miles of irrigation ' channels have been excavated,l3l miles of road formed, while at the ' same time drainage facilities, have not been neglected, 99 miles; of various-sized drainage channels having been provided, the total quantity of earth excavated amounting to no less than 843,000 cubic yards. Work has proceeded simultaneously from the Lsetott■•-. and Griffiths centres. At the ~ the blocks made available have been , largely mixed farms, and it is expect-s ed that dairying and pigraising will - ba the principal industries followed. vi The drought made itself felt most severely in Riverina district, anil all ; through the present season the irrigation areas have formed a veritable oasis in the desert. For the whole year 191 applications for farms have A been granted, and at ptesent; the total area taken up is 31,908 asres, representing the holdings .0f'754 irrigationists areas. This seasop tor;: ' the first time, some of the early settlers are receiving returns tor their.grapes, peaches and apricots, the fruit being of excellent quality. ; A State-owned cannery, capable of dealing with all the fruit and vegetables likely to be produced for same years, has been established. i?he area under vine and fruit trees amounts to thousands of acres, and it is being added to year by year.