IRRIGATION SCHEMES

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 146, 18 December 1933, Page 10

IRRIGATION SCHEMES

CHARGES FOR WATER

RIGHTS OF RECOVERY

In future irrigation agreements for the supply of water .to private property from Government irrigation schemes may have to be registered as charges against the whole of the land owned by the person entering into the agreement even if the whole of the property is not irrigated. Authority - 'for this action is contained in the.Finance Bill which was introduced in the House on Saturday night, . . . ' Another important proposal pfovides for moneys now payable or due in; the future for water for irrigation purposes to be not only a charge on the land, but also on the stock grazing on the laud and the produce taken from tho section and on the proceeds of the sale of the stock or produce. It is also proposed to extend the charge on the land, where it is held by lease or licence, to the interest of the leasor or licensor in any improvements to the land and also to moneys payable by the leasor or licensor or incoming tenant for thcso improvements. These charges are to have priority over all existing, or subsequent mortgages or other encumbrances, but if land subject to irrigation charges is subject to charges created by any other Act, the irrigation charges are to J rank equally with those authorised by the other Act unless the charge under I the other Act would, by virtue of that" Act, be deferred to the irrigation charge. Unpaid moneys due under an irrigation agreement may be recovered from any person who purchases the stock or produce of the irrigated land, while the Crown is _t.so given the powers of mortgagee in respect to recovery of the moneys. The Mortgagors and Tenants [Relief Act of this year is not to apply ■to irrigation agreements. j The fees for irrigation services are | to be p.ayable to the Crown whether the j water is used or not, provided that the water is available in accordance with the agreement. The fact that water had been cut off in accordance with the agreement or for any breach" of it by the owner or occupier does not absolve the person responsible for the payment of irrigation moneys. Special provisions are contained in the Bill covering cases where water is supplied from irrigation schemes for mining purposes. Virtually the same } liabilities are to be imposed on holders of mining privileges as on owners of irrigated land, with the proviso that in [ the case of partnerships or where the privilege is mortgaged, there is no liability on parties who have not consented to the agreement.