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Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23810, 2 December 1942, Page 2

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NEED FOR EXPERT OPINION That the services of an expert irrigation engineer from overseas should be obtained to report on the whole irrigation scheme in the Ashburton County at the earliest opportunity is the opinion held by the Ashburton Irrigations Problems Association, which mot yesterday and passed the following resolution: That this association views with concern the damage which has already occurred by seepage from the irrigation channel and asks the Ashburton County Council to request the Government to obtain the services of an expert overseas irrigation engineer to report on the whole scheme at the earliest opportunity. It was agreed to send a copy of the resolution to Mrs A. N. Grigg, M.P., and Mr Jack Acland, M.P., asking for their support. Reporting on a visit he had made last month.'with members of the association. to Klondyke, where water from the irrigational channel had seeped through the bottom of the channel in several places, undermining the Klondike main stock water race, Mr R. D. Robinson (chairman) said that at a point opposite the Klondyke homestead there had been a flow of water three feet deep by eight feet wide in the main channel. That large flow of water seeped away within half a mile. A large portion of the seepage water passed under a plantation and carried away about 60 feet of the Klondyke stock water race. From that point onward streams of various sizes flowed through the country, connecting up into larger streams, which flowed back into the river. No more striking illustration of the difficulty and improbability of the channel ever carrying water could have been given, he said. When it was remembered that the trouble occurred with three feet of water, compared with 11 feet, which was planned, some idea of the tremendous difficulties involved could be obtained. “I feel that this association should lake the strongest possible steps to have the whole position fully investigaled.” said Mr Robinson. 'We have to do our best to save this county from the troubles which have developed in other places.” Mr J, Davidson said as he saw the position it was serious. Mr F. D, Grant (Canterbury Public Works Engineer) had said that water had got into a section of the channel before it was intended that it should do so, and that there had been no time to puddle that section of the channel. Mr Davidson doubted if that section of the race could be puddled successfully. Seepage would not be the only trouble, because there was a huge face of running shingle along the bank of the channel, and he thought that that section of the scheme would have to be piped. He also thought that there would be a danger at the south branch of the Ashburton river. It was the duty of the Ashburton County Council to take up the question, as it had the interests of the county as a wholq to consider, said Mr Davidson. “The danger at the hcadworks is certainly serious.” said Mr C. W. Keeley. He thought that the whole body of the Rangitata river had shifted on to the hcadworks of the irrigation channel. As far as the layman could see, it was impossible to make the scheme safe without concrete protection. Mr J. H. Grigg said that it appeared that there was a difficult problem ahead of the engineers in charge of the scheme. He thought that it was the duly of the council to take up the matter/ and the proposal to the Government to get an outside opinion was a good one. The motion was moved by Mr G. H. B. Dili, and seconded by Mr Grigg.