IRRIGATING THE PLAINS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22003, 29 January 1937, Page 7

IRRIGATING THE PLAINS

♦ Possible development discussed

PROGRESS OF DEPARTMENT'S

SCHEMES

[THE PRESS Special Service.!

TEMUKA, January 28,

"From surveys made in Canterbury up to the present it has been found that 400.000 acres of land could be economically irrigated if irrigation were requested," said Mr T. G. Beck, resident engineer to the Public Works Department at Temuka, in discussing the progress of irrigation schemes in Canterbury with a reporter. "In Canterbury, so far, construction work is in hand for a gross commanded area of 43,000 acres, and water is at present available for about 10,000 acres," Mr Beck continued. "If the proposed Downlands scheme were decided on. there would be a further 118.000 acres involved, but this was a stock and domestic water supply scheme —not an irrigation scheme." Of the schemes in hand, he said, the Redclift scheme, which was now completed, had cost £24,000, the Levels scheme would cost, on completion. £69,000, and the Ashburton-Lyndhurst scheme £136,000. "Work has been, and will be, carried out under the policy of the Government, which is to use more machinery in the heavier tasks and leave the lighter work to man-power," said Mr Beck. "This means not only a saving of labour but a great saving in costs, and there is not so much difference in the number of men employed as might be imagined. "By the full use of machinery the total cost of development for the plains of Canterbury will not. in all probability, exceed £4 a net irrigable acre when present and possible or projected schemes are finished," Mr Beck I said.

Work on recording stations to be used in water resource investigations was proceeding, he said. The recorder at Lake Heron was almost finished, and the department expected to begin shortly upon a recorder for the north Ashburtcn river. Further recorders would be placed at regions in the Ashley, Hurunui, and Waiau river areas.

The Ashburton-Lyndhurst scheme, which, together with the Rangitata diversion race, would be finished by September, 1938. was progressing well, and a demonstration area on Mr W. R. Hammond's farm was almost ready for operation. The Ashburton County Council, he said, had already agreed to grant the department the use of surplus water from stock races for this area, which would be sown down and watered later.

The Levels plain irrigation scheme would be completed and ready for operation next season.