IRRIGATION SCHEMES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 31 October 1928, Page 7

IRRIGATION SCHEMES

IN CENTRAL OTAGO. RESULTS OF INVESTIGATIONS. OVER-OPTIMISM OF FARMERS. (By Telegraph—Special to The Star.) - WELLINGTON, Oct. 30. Irrigation schemes in Central Otago were investigated by a committee of which Mr C. j. McKenzie, assistant engineer of the Public Works Department, was chairman. It has recommended various concessions ill charges to irrigation users qu some of the systemsj and makes suggestions- for the classification of lands and development of the control system. . While unanimously favouring- the continuation of control by the Public Works Department, the, committee points out that in the past too much has been expected of the engineer directly entrusted with the administration of irrigation in that he has been assumed to possess a detailed knowledge of the farming operations which are intimately associated with the problems of irrigation. The committee strongly recommends that a permanent advisory board should be appointed consisting of representatives of each of the three State Departments directly interested, viz., Public Works, Agriculture and Lands, and one irrigators-’, representative. The duties of such a hoard would naturally come under the following headings: (a) To secure full and definite information as to the advisability of carrying out projected irrigation works; (b) To. closely study and report regularly upon the progress made in schemes already initiated ; (c) To make recommendations in regard to adjustments necessary in the interests of the schemes is so far as they affect the Government and the settlei-s; (d) To investigate and to report to the Department upon any matters o.r complaints referred to it by the Department or the local irrigation committee.

SPECIALISED LAND STUDY

One of the points made in the general report is that the mere construction of irrigation works will not, in itself, make irrigated agriculture and mistakes have been made in including under the race land which is not worth irrigating, but yet the settlers are expected to make their homes on such country. The bulk of the attention has been centred largely on engineering features and settlers without capital have, been encouraged to settle upon land', which, in. some eases, can never be expected to give a reasonable return for the money expended. “An engineer is not necessarily a trained agriculturist,” says the report, “hence it fellows that he has to be guided to a large extent by the farm- j ing community in various aspects relating to irrigation schemes and their extensions. The sound judgment of the farming community, however, can be often submerged in a desire to obtain water regardless of cost, and it is often only after acquiescence to their request that the full realisation of the true state of affairs presents itself. It would appear that the Government in some cases has been induced to undertake the irrigation of these lands through the optimism of the farmers and others as to the capabilities of such lands and their capacity -to pay the existing water rates. The committee is of the opinion that in the interests of all present and of potential schemes, the Public Works . Department-, should have disinterested advisers' in agricultural matters, so that prior to any commitments, the pros and cons of the subject could be fully investigated. “The committee is. satisfied that sufficient study has not been made in regard to the potentialities of certain lands now included under the present system, and if. such lands, had at. rhe outset been examined .and reported upon by those with the necessary knowledge and . experience to do so, ‘they would never have been brought under, irrigation.” . Ten Government schemes are dealt v.th, covering 59,000 acres and although the committee expressed doubts about the vrsdom of including certain lands in rlie irrigation areas. .it de-c-hues that -i n.list not he. ass-nned, from this e.viti' P.m, that the potentialities of the district are being deprecated. “The area of these lands- is comparaJtively small and cannot in general affect the success of. the scheme. The recommendations, if approved, must necessarily mean that the State will be placed in the position of having, to subsidise .the schemes, but the committee is of the opinion that the benefits to irrigators and to the State warrant such assistance. The establishment of many settlers on lane., which prior.to the application of water, possessed an extremely low earning capacity, must be beneficial. „ As an indication of the increase in production on irrigated ared-s, one only to study the railway returns, which show, in some cases, . substantial increases since the advent of irrigation.”