IRRIGATION AT REDCLIFF

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21239, 10 August 1934, Page 27

IRRIGATION AT REDCLIFF

SCHEME EXPLAINED

MEETING OF FARMERS AT GLEN AW Compl aint that everything connected .-(ji the proposed irrigation scheme !" ( j, e -Redclifl 'South Canterbury) had been dealt with in sec»y was expressed by a meeting of ftjuiers at Glenavy. Mr D. Y. Gibson resided, and among the 1)3 others resen' were Mr F. Langbein, District tLineer of the Public Works Department and Mr T. G. Beck, assistant "Ljn'eer, and a specialist in irriga{•o,l Mr Langbein and Mr Beck e*nlaine d the scheme, and at the end of , he meeting a motion that objection ihould be made to the scheme was lost. Mr Langbein said that in the first tlace a meeting had been called to consider the advisability of having a „re!iminary survey for a scheme, and i number had been against that. A survey had been made, but so many farmers had signified their unwillingness to go into the scheme that a modified one had been prepared. The proposed scheme would not go below Mr J G. Ruddcnklau'y Valley property. There were some 5000 or 6000 acres between the lowest point and the intake. The price of the water would be Is an acre the first year. 2s b'd the second year, and 5s an acre for subsequent years. Only the water acluBily supplied would be paid for. No Itate Replying to que.-tions, Mr Langbein jaid there would be no rate, and if no water was taken there would be ,J 0 charge. The modified scheme had been drawn up for those who wished to buy water, and it was now before the Minister for Public Works. Mr Langbein assured the meeting that no water would find its way bejov; the end of the race. He said a settler would have redress should a race break and flood his land. Mr Beck raid there would be no danger in the scheme. The intake would be shut off in flood times.

Mr Smillie moved that the meeting object to the proposed scheme, this being ssconded by Mr McCulloch, but en being put the motion was lost. In moving a vote of thanks to the engineers lor atlendintj that niyht, Mr Smillie said they were more satisfied than they had bc-en before the Keeling.