$4m Morven water scheme opened

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33455, 9 February 1974, Page 2

$4m Morven water scheme opened

<From Our Own Reporter) TIMARU. February 8. The opening day of the iVlorven-Glenavy irrigation scheme, north of the Waitaki River, fulfilled dreams that had been nurtured for 10 years.

Off-farm works in the scheme have cost about S2m in State funds, and farmers’ on-farm development financing would bring the over-all cost to at least Sim. The scheme will provide water for about 30,000 acres of arid country between the Waitaki and Waihao rivers, extending a few miles inland from the coast. To mark the occasion, water was provided for 12,800 acres (other areas will be covered before the end of the year, and the entire area within 18 months'), and a plaque was unveiled on the intake gates, on the property of Mr J. R. Beil. 50 PROPERTIES Fifty properties are on the main part of the scheme, which covers about 26,000 acres, including an area with an average rainfall of about 17 inches. By 1974-75. water will also become available in a 15property, 4000-acre extension north-west of the main area. The first tender for construction of the upper main race and stopbank was accepted in October. 1971, and in February, 1972, the contract was signed for the intake gate structures, M.O.W. DESIGN Larger races were constructed by contract and the minor races by the Ministry of Works, which designed the scheme. About 45 miles have been accomplished, and about 20 miles remain. Farmers on the scheme are

being allowed a 10-year development period. The plaque — which mentions that the scheme, involving 12,000 hectares, has a capacity of 11 cubic metres a second — was unveiled by Mr R. G. Richards, chairman of the Morven-Glenavy Irrigation Association. He opened the gates and allowed water to flow down the channels. The member of Parliament for. South Canterbury (Mr R.

|L. G. Talbot) said the regional development scheme was a prime example of cooperation between the Government and farmers; it was a sound investment which must be repeated throughout New Zealand, and especially in Canterbury. Mr Talbot criticised the Government’s new irrigation policy, saying it failed to include many recommendations of the National Water Authority, and did not go far enough with help for onfarm development. The member of Parliament i for Oamaru (Mr W. R. Laney) said the scheme was essentially a “democratic enterI prise.’’