IRRIGATION TROUBLES.

Evening Star, Issue 19777, 30 January 1928, Page 6

IRRIGATION TROUBLES.

The visit of Mr Furkert (Engineer-in-Chief to the Public Works Department) to Central Otago was not entirely in connection with highways. Undoubtedly the most important matter demanding Jus attention was irrigation. The Central is in the grip of a severe drought, and the races are carrying water totally inadequate for the needs of the settlers who contracted with the Government for supply. The Manuherikin and Manorburn races are now running at about capacity, after the flow being interrupted by repairs which should have been effected much more quickly than was the case and (in respect of the Manuherikia) at a time far more opportune than at the height of the dry season.

In the Tarras district the position is particularly acute. All the water from the Lindis River is intercepted by the races, leaving the river bed bone dry; yet many areas whose owners arc liable for water rates have not received one drop of water all the season. The result is extreme dissatisfaction, ana measures are being taken for combined action to force the Government to recognise that its engineers have gravely under-estimated the cost of the irrigation works, and have considerably overestimated the amount of water available in the dry season. At Arrowtown, also, there is dismay over the halt or delay on construction work, and the settlers are annoyed with the attitude of the departmental staff at the Public Works Department offices, both there and at Alexandra. It is understood that an important private interview took place at the week-end between Dir Furkert and a spokesman on behalf of tho users and would-be users of water, as the result of which drastic changes are contemplated in the administration. These may involve the retirement of one or more highly-placed officers of the department. The state of affairs now being revealed is disturbing to the complacency with which Dunedin people are apt to regard irrigation in Central Otago, but it has to be faced. There must either be provision for big storage against drought, notably on the Lindis scheme, or the Wanaka-Hawea hydroelectric scheme for supplying power for pumping stations on the river must bo undertaken; but in the meantime a severe writing-down of the capital cost of the existing works, with a corresponding reduction in tho charges for water, appears imperative.