AN IRRIGATION SCHEME

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14407, 15 July 1912, Page 7

AN IRRIGATION SCHEME

AN INLAND SEA

United Presa Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received July 14th, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 14. A large New South Wales Ministerial party visited the Murrumbidgeo irrigation area. Mr Grifiith performed tho ceremony of turning on the water. There are at present 415 farms, embracing 300,000 acres ready for irrigation. Later on a much larger area, will bo irrigated.

Tho principal part of the scheme is a hugo dam on tho Murrumbidgeo river, at a place which bears tho quaint namo of Barren Jack. It was estimated some time ago that tho whole work would cost £1,500,000, or at tho rate of about a pound for every acre rescued and turned to account. With a reliable water supply the district will be admirably adapted for closer settlement. It is only eiguteen hours by rail from Sydney, "and therefore within quick reach of a ready market. Up to tho present tho land has consisted largely of sheep-walks, but with water available there would.bo every opportunity for a prosperous yeomanry. By the agency of the dam an inland sea of some twenty square miles has been brought into being around a spot which was once a deep gorge, with a feeble stream wandering listlessly in its depths.