Mackenzie Basin Plan Hailed

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30286, 12 November 1963, Page 12

Mackenzie Basin Plan Hailed

(From Our Own Reporter I TIMARU, November 11. It bad everything to commend it, said the chairman (Mr J. Scott, of Godley Peaks) at a meeting of the Waitaki Catchment Commission in Kurow today, commenting on a report on the utilisation of water in the Mackenzie county from the chairman of a departmental committee set up to investigate the matter (Mr D. B. Dallas, district commissioner of works, Christchurch). The report was received.

“We have been fighting for it for years, and it is gratifying to find that realisation has reached Wellington that the farming community and the New Zealand Electricity Department can work in harmony,” Mr Scott said. Mr G. G. Calder, district soil conservator. Department of Agriculture. Dunedin, said: "It is very desirable and something that farmers in the district have been worried about.” Mr R. Hosken, Simons Hill station, said it was a "wonderful step forward.” Emphasis was being put a little too much on irrigation. This would come eventually, he said, but he felt that the more important aspect, the immediate need, was for stock water races. A lot of the country needed subdividing, and could not be subdivided because of lack of water.

Raise Carrying Capacity "If this committee—and I hope it does —sees fit to recommend that provision be made for stock ’ater races, it will be one of the biggest steps forward in certain parts of the Mackenzie there has ever been.” said Mr Hosken. Even with present knowledge of tussock grassland improvement, the carrying capacity could be raised tremendously, he added. The meeting decided it would deal further with the question when it heard from the committee. The committee, formed by the Commissioner ot Works, will give urgent consideration to the land lying between the Tekapo and Pukaki rivers, which will be affected by the proposed Marybum canal and hydroelectric scheme. Concern about the future of water supplies in the Mackenzie basin has been expressed by the commission, and by the ...ackenzie County Council and Tussock Grasslands and Mountain Lands Institute for the development of irrigation.

The Mackenzie Countv Council resolved at a recent meeting that it was prepared to give any assistance required to ensure success of the investigation. The report will also be considered by the Mackenzie branch of Federated Farmers.