WATER CARTED TO FARMS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25554, 23 July 1948, Page 9

WATER CARTED TO FARMS

STILL MORE RAIN NEEDED Light showers which occurred at Waimate during the last two days accounted for a total rainfall of less than a quarter of an inch—very much below tne amount required to replenish supplies in tanks in the country districts, and to provide suitable conditions for spring growth. Several inches of rain is needed before the ground will be in suitable condition for the spring and summer. Most of the outlying townships are suffering from shortage of water, and for the last fortnight the Waimate County Council staff has been kept busy supplying people with water. A good deal has gone to Morven and many thousands of gallons to the Waituna School. In the Waituna district one farmer who had not been short for years had found it necessary to apply to the County Council for help, and others have been taking their carts to the creek for weeks. In an emergency such as this, if the County Council plant is available, an endeavour is made to deliver the water -after permission has been obtained from the Borough Council to draw off the borough supply. The petrol tanker waggons in use are those which} the County Cwncil purchased from the War Assets, and they have proved very useful for this type of work. They carry 900 gallons at a time, sufficient to keep a household going for some weeks. The cartage and labour involve some cost to the consumer. The tanks were used during the war. for the delivery of petrol in Egypt. They were purchased for watering roads, and for road construction work as tar sprayers. They are complete with pump and engine to deliver and receive petrol—or in this case water —as a complete unit.