IRRIGATION WORK.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20711, 23 November 1932, Page 14

IRRIGATION WORK.

POSITION IN CENTRAL OTAGO. FINANCES FAR FROM SATISFACTORY. WEJiLI'NCrTON", November 22. ".It was indicated in the Statement o ; last year that the financial position with regard to irrigation in Otogo Central was very far from satisfactory, owing to the largo amount of waterrates that had not been paid," says tho Public Works Statement, presented by the Acting-Minister, the Hon. C E. Macmillan. "The amount of outstanding rates before last season's irrigation season commenced was £12,012. "Tho Otago Land Board was asked to investigate-"the circumstances of those settlers who had not paid their rates, and to make a recommendation to the Government, as to whether or not any remission of rates should bo made to those who, owing to tho prevailing depression, were unable to meet their liabilities. They recommended remissions to the extent of £13846, or about ;'.O per cent, of the total amount out-■-tanding. Tho Government adopted the iv.:cmmendation of the Land Board, and irrigators who were in arrears were advised that if payments of the balance were made, the remissions recommended by the Land Board would be panted. This liberal treatment had, I regret to say, very little effect in inducing the defaulters to pay their debts io tho Government—do little effect, indeed that at the present time tho amount owing to the Government has increased Io £22,501. This indicates that not only has the promise of the remission of portion of their rates not enct>ur;i"od many irrigators to pay their past debts, but has actually had the effect of prompting them to withhold payment of their last season's rates, and of undoubtedly influencing those'who were not in arrears to take tho same course ol action, probably with the hop;: of receiving similar eon-i-e.-sions;. Debt to Government. •'The revenue that should have been collected i» irrigation rates last .season was £20,60-1, but of this amount a little ovcr 30 per cent, has been paid, leaving the total debt to the Government at the present time, as 1 have stated above,'£22.sol. , , "It can reasonably bo assumed that the Land Board's recommendations, alter the careful enquiries it made, were iu accordance with the ability ol cadi bottler to pay the balance be owed alter allowing remissions, and when it is found that out of the- total balance of £3IW owing, only £l3 is paid, some i-fl'octive mean-, of enforcing payment must be adopted. ••Knowing well the great difficulty I that farmers were still m owing to the continued low price-levels. I was not inclined to take extreme measures, but considering the disappointing results that were- the outcome of the Government's desire to he (air to those in difficulties, it was necessary to seek .oiiii) wav ol protecting the Government's iu'tercsts and preventing further loss to the State. It was tnerefore decided that those who were m arrears with their rates would not be supplied ue\t season with water for irrigation until tiiev had paid a portion of their arrears 'equal to the next seasoivs rate* This has the effect of, at least, not allowing the debt to the Government to grow any larger than it is at present. It is not intended, ol course that the- remaining debts shall be cancelled, and something additional will he asked for at a later date, hut if is felt that at the present tunc the above procedure is meeting the -ettlers in n very lenient spirit. Favourable Terms. •■When it is remembered that those supplied with irrigation water are only paving, in addition to maintenance and operation costs, interest on one-quarter of tho cost of the works to tho Government, it must be admitted that exceedingly favourable terms aro being given to the fanners in Central Otago. '•Previous to the last two years ot depression, the Department had very little difficulty in collecting the money due for water rates, and groatly increased production was followed in the wake of irrigation. "The fact that tho Government has given to the owners of irrigated land a subsidv that is equivalent to £3 for £1 mav"perhaps be thought to be undulv fiboral treatment, but it is a jroo'd deal in line with that given by Governments in other countries, and, provided payment of water rates is ri'ddlv enforced, mav not be out ol proportion to the indirect benefits that the Government receives by way ot taxation and additional railway revenue from lands upon which productivity has been increased three or fourfold. 'There is m. clearly defined measure of the full enhancement to a country s wcll-bcinsr that comes from the turnin" of arid lands into fertile, highly productive farm-, hint there is no method of land-improvement tluiu can *o quickk show the benefits for money spent lmoi) it as that of irrigation. "\t the present time, when it rs so important to be sure that monev is not spent upon useless work, 1 Icel

that wo arc more than justified in "iviji"- a lull share of what money mav be available to the improving of the" lands of tho Dominion in tins way We can-rest assured that, whatever the future of tho country may he this form of expenditure will never be'looked upon as wasteful. Further Otago Schemes. •'L have, therolore, felt justified m carrying on this year with the expenditure of loan-moneys upon iurther irrigation schemes in Central Otago, and iu asking that this work be continued throughout the times of depression, so that iurther land muy bo brought into a state of potentially high productivity when better tunes come. •'lf there is one part of the supply of irrigation water more than another upon which it is justifiable to expend public money, it is the construction or reservoirs to conserve water for use in. times of scarcity. Such works, if well constructed, are assets of great value for all time to a country depending upon farming as >fs primary industry. 1 have on this account, given particular attention to schemes involving the necessity of tho construction of new reservoirs, or of increasing the capacity of existing reservoirs. "A. start has been made upon a dam 153 ft in height, across the Manuherikia river, near St. Bathan's, which is known as the Falls Dam. This dam will form a reservoir that will conserve 40,000 acre-feet of water for irrigation in the Manuherikia Valley "of land lying between Lauder and Om'akau. .At the present time about a hundred men are engaged in its construction. The dam is of the rockfill type, with a concrete impervious up-stream face. This type was chosen as one that is simple and economical to increase in height at a later date, and one in which much the greater part of the expenditure is upon labour, so that men put off other public works could obtain employment and not help to swell the ranks of the unemployed. The base of the dam is being made only sufficiently wide at present for a dam 103 ft in height, but the other works are of such dimensions as to allow for a dam 153 ft high if experience shows that it will be profitable to extend the area irrigated. "A diversion tunnel 600 ft in length and 17ft in diameter is needed to dewater tho foundations, and the driving of this tunnel is now well advanced. Tho clearing of the dam-foundation is completed, and two quarries for rock have been opened up, and a start made ion the rock-filling of the dam. Electric power generated from Diesel I engines is used for the plant required, I on 'the works. Construction of Races. "To coincide with the completion of tho dam, a sufficient number of men are engaged upon race construction be- | tw.een Lauder and Omakau, so that it will be possible to irrigate 8000 acres here immediately the dam is ready to supply water. There are thirty miles of mjiin race to make, and three miles are completed. In addition to ninetyeight married relief workers, forty-four single men are employed in race-cut-ting under tho 'Unemployment Board's scheme of camps for single men. "It is proposed to start immediately upon the construction of an arched concrete dam, Goft high, in the Manorburn stream, near Galloway, to impound sufficient water to irrigate 400 acres on the lower end of the Galloway Flats. This will release water from the main Manorburn reservoir to irrigate additional land of a similar area in the Ida Valley. The dam and races are to cost £7OOO, and the wages of the men will be paid out of unemployment funds. "The Ewcburn Dam. an old dam built by the Mines Department, which now stores water for the Hawkdun irrigation scheme, is now being strengthened, so that more water may bo stored for use on that scheme. "During the year a small concrete dam across the Idaburn at Oturehua was completed, and water from the reservoir was utilised during last seasou for the irrigation of 600 acres immediately below the dam. A single men's unemployed camp has been set up, and forty men are employed in cleaning out the races on the Steward Settlement irrigation scheme. "During last season twelve schemes were in operation, and 44,587 acres of land were irrigated, water being supplied to 425 irrigators. The schemes in operation on a trading basis ■ are Ardgour, Arrow, Bengerburn, Earnsoleugb, Galloway. Hawkdun, Idaburn, Ida Valley, Last Chance, Manuherikia, Tarrus, and Teviot. "All schemes have been adequately maintained, and supplies of water have been uninterrupted throughout the season. In Ardgour scheme 1650 ft of main pipe-line were dismantled, and tho pipes were reeoatod inside and out with bitumen, and replaced in position. Future Proposals. "The amount proposed to be made available this year for the development of irrigation is £BO,OOO. So far, irrigation by the Government has chiefly been confined to lands in Central Otago, but many requests have been made during the year for the investigation of schemes in Canterbury and other parts of Otago. "In compliance with representations by settlers in South Canterbury, a survey is now being carried out to ascertain the , possibility of economically irrigating from the Waitaki river an area of approximately 30,000 acres of good land along the north side of the Waitaki river, and the coast lands between Gienavy and Moryen. Preliminary investigations indicate thab water could be supplied to this area at a very much less cost per acre than tho average cost of irrigation uer acre in Central Otago. It is anticipated that the survey and a report on the scheme will be completed in two months' time. It may be found uecess.try to carry out a good deal of work on ' the actual farms in the way of building borders, etc., to obviate unequal watering or heavy expenses in levelling. "A survey was made for a scheme to take water for irrigation purposes from the Waitaki hydro-electric supply dam when completed.. The land proposed to be irrigated lies in a long strio on the "south side of the Waitaki river down-stream from the dam. After full investigation it was ascertained that, on account of the long length of race required to supply a limited area of land, the scheme was not economically sound. The Manitoto Plain. "As mentioned in last year's Statement, full investigations were to be made' into the scheme for irrigating the Manitoto Plain, in Central Otago, an area of 120,000 acres lying most favourably for irrigation. A thorough and fully detailed survey of this area hns been completed, and a comprehensive scheme is now being designed. "This scheme presents many favourable aspects not the least of which is the possibility of impounding 235,000 acre-feet of water with a dam only 45ft in height. There are many combinations in design, however, that require to be worked out before* the most favourable and most economical scheme can be ascertained and it will take some time yet to develop completely the proposals. "Surveys and investigations were mndr- for the construction of dams m the Fraser river and-Conroy's gully. "At present no further surveys for irrigation in Contra! Otago are m hand, but I think.it is well worth while that investigations for such woik be carried on in a time of depression, so that information may be available when prosperity again 4 emand s» a ? L* has in the past, that fuller development of the valuable resources of water supply iu this country be under(taken."