Otago Central.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLIII, Issue 2285, 19 February 1912, Page 5

Otago Central.

TAPANUI "COURIER'S" VIEWS A contingent of Dunediu merchants, accompanied by members of Parliament and others some forty strong, visited Contra) Otago, with the idea that their representations, backed up by the Press, will induce Government to extend the Otago Central railway from Clyde to Cromwell, and on to Wanaka, This costly piece of work would not be justified by the population and output of produce over the area of country quoted. The tourist traffic also is too small at proseut to warrant a railway to Wanaka. We are quite prepared to admit, however, that extensive irrigation is a necessity in Central Otago, provided the landowners then: will bear the cost anil guarantee the necessary loans. Pur instance, the nominal value of the sandy plains is at present, without water, oidy a few shillings per acre : once thoroughly irrigated the land would be worth pomids instead of shillings, and hence the freeholders and leaseholders and Government for Crown lands would have to bear the cost. Contrast many portions of Otago with Southland. In the lirst-named dry noun try water is the essential, while in the swamp lands of the latter to get rid of it by draining is the problem to be faced. Well, the arguments of the southern men are that if they have to drain the hind at their own expense, t'.ie dry-country men should irrigate at their own cost likewise, and not tax the people generally with the cost of bringing in water. There is no doubt Central Otago can be again made a prosperous, productive region, and water in plenty is stored for the purpose in Lakes Wakatipu and Wanaka, and British capital would doubtless be available for such an enterprise ; but the question of the land bearing the cost of irrigation has yet to be considered, The Dunedin Star says : For our own part, trying to take a national and rational view, we must adhere to the opinion that the continuation of the railway beyond Clyde is not the primary need of Central Otago. The first necessities are irrigation and land settlement.' Railway extension to Hawea will be added in course of time. This is 'undoubtedly the correct view of Central Otago's needs. When a million of money has been expended on irrigating the dry lands, then, and then only, will Cromwell need a railway-