IRRIGATION FOR NORTH OTAGO

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22241, 4 November 1937, Page 12

IRRIGATION FOR NORTH OTAGO

SURVEY AND INVESTIGATION IN THREE MONTHS

[From Our Parliamentary Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, November 3,

The Government hopes to start the survey and investigation of the proposed irrigation scheme in North Otago in about three months. This statement was made by the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) in the House of Representatives to-day in reply to an urgent question asked by Mr A. H. Nordtneyer (Government. Oamaru) in collaboration with Mr D Barnes (Government, Waitaki). In asking that the survey should be expedited, Mr Nordmeyer said that North Otago was having a particularly dry season, and the farmers were anxious that a comprehensive scheme should be considered as early as possible.

“The staff engaged on the irrigation survey and on the construction of irrigation works in Canterbury is working at high pressure,” Mr Semple replied. “Although he was asked some time ago to investigate the possibility of successful irrigation in North Otago, the. engineer in charge of the work has not yet had time to do so. It is thought advisable ’to use the experience and expert knowledge of the engineer engaged on this work in preference to trying to get other engineers, even if this were possible. It is hoped to start the survey and investigation in North Otago with the Canterbury staff in about three months’ time.”