OTAGO IRRIGATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 259, 1 November 1928, Page 19

OTAGO IRRIGATION.

arSTJLT OF INVESTIGATION

OVER-OPTIMISM OP FARMERS

(By Telegraph—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, this day.

Irrigation schemes in Central Otago were investigated by a committee </f which Mr. C. J. MoKenzie, assistant engineer for Public Works, was chairman. It has recommended various conoMsions in charges to irrigation users on some of systems, and makes suggestions for classification of lands and a development of the control system. While unanimously favouring a continuation of control by the Public Works Department the committee strongly recommends that a permanent advisory board be appointed consisting of repretentatives of each of the three State Departments directly interested, viz., Public Works, Agriculture and Lands, and one irrigators' representative. The duties of such a board would naturally come under the following headings: (a) To secure full and definite information ss to the advisability of carrying out projected irrigation works; (b) closely itudy and report regularly upon progress made in schemes already initiated; (c) make recommendations in regard to adjustments necessary in the interests of the schemes in so far as they affect the Government and settlers; (d) investigate and report to the Department upon any matters or complaints referred co it by the Department or the local irrigation committee. The committee if satisfied that sufficient study has not been made in regard to the potentialities of certain lands now included under present schemes, and if inch lands had at the outset been examined and reported upon by those whh the necessary knowledge and experience to do so, they would never bare been brought under irrigation. Ten Government schemes are dealt with, covering 50,000 acres, and, although the committee expressed doubts about the wisdom of inelnding certain lands in Irrigation areas, it declares that it must not be assumed from this criticism that the protentialities of the district are being deprecated. The area of these lands are comparatively small, and cannot in general affect the success of the ■chemes. The recommendations, if •pproved, must necessarily mean that tie State will be placed in the position «f having to subsidise the schemes, but the committee is of opinion that the banents of irrigators and the State warttnt such assistance.