CENTRAL OTAGO IRRIGATION

Evening Star, Issue 20315, 25 October 1929, Page 6

CENTRAL OTAGO IRRIGATION

“ In regard to irrigation in Central Otago, the late Government set up a committee, consisting partly of Government officers and partly of settlers in Central Otago, to investigate matters relating to the irrigation schemes in operation in that locality. _ The settlers had contended for some time that the rates they had agreed to pay for water were too high, and that the amount of water which the Government had contracted to supply to them was insufficient. As the quantity of water and the price to be paid for it was the fundamental basis on which the schemes had been established, it became a matter of very serious consideration. When I took office I found a report already brought down. The investigating committee found in a number_ of cases the settlers had been too optimistic, and had contracted to carry out more than their land could support, at any rate until the same was fully developed, and its full development could not be brought about for a period of years. The committee recommended certain modifications to the agreements made with the settlers; and after visiting the districts and interviewing a great many interested persons ( found that the whole subject bristled with difficulties, but that nevertheless the practical result to New Zealand in the way of increased produce, thereby inducing increased traffic on the railwavs and increased revenue of public utilities, was so great that considerable sacrifice by the Government in the early stages would undoubtedly be offset by the benefit to the dominion as a whole. I therefore agreed to grant for a period of five years the concessions recommended by the investigating committee, being confidently of the opinion that by

that time the settlers _ would all fob firmly established on their holdings and would be well able to pay the charges which they originally contracted to do. During the past year steady progress has been made with construction works on the Arrow, Hawkdun, and Teviot extension schemes. Tho erection of the pipe-line on tho Arrow scheme is now well in hand, and it is hoped to supply the full area next season. Th© Hawkdun scheme is now completed, and a full service can be given. On the Teviot extension scheme work was completed, and portion of the area was supplied with water. During tho year the existing schemes were maintained in good order. All lands requiring water we>e well served,The total area irrigated under all Government schemes was 38.265 acres, tlia number of irrigators being 335. Investigations on several small proposed schemes have been made and surveys and foundation tests have been made at three possible dam sites on the Upper Poolburn Stream, where a reservoir is required to supplement the Ida Valley scheme. Tho best site has now been selected and a start with the preliminary work authorised.