THE H.B. TRIBUNE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1935. AN IRRIGATION SCHEME.
A project that lias at various times been mooted, but without engaging very much practical attention, came under definite discussion at a meeting of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce last evening. There were also present representatives of several local bodies likely to be interested whose co-operation might in the end be brought about, were the proposals submitted eventually entertained. The subject, which was brought forward by Mr. T. E. Smith, was that of instituting an irrigation scheme to serve the areas of Eastern Hawke’s Bay which are liable to suffer almost yearly from drought conditions such as have been of especial severity during the summer that is just about ending. The consequential difficulties that have been experienced and losses that have been sustained by fanners, orchardists and market gardeners, though not easily estimable, make the time particularly ap- ' propriate for considering any plan calculated to bring reliable and lasting relief. It must, be I gratifying therefore to the spon- ' sor of the scheme that, while it i was of an entirely tentative charaeer, it was still given serious consideration by those present and elicited a considerable amount of valuable comment and criticism. On the broad question at issue there can, of course, be no difference of opinion as to the general advantages to be gained by putting into operation some such scheme as has now been advanced, nor do there appear, on the face of things, to be any serious obstacles —other perhaps than financial—in the way of carrying it. out. The first tiling, of course, is to ascertain what prospect there is of interesting a sufficient number of those likely to be benefited and so making sure of a concerted movement sufficiently widespread to give fair assurance of ultimate success. To this end a small committee of the Chamber has been set up whose function it will be to enlist interest on the part of representative bodies within the area to be served enough to warrant further expert investigation. It will only be when this has been carried out that there will be any chance of arriving at a reliable estimate of the cost involved and judging as to whether the game is going to be worth the candle—and it is in that, of course, that the whole crux of the proposal lies. It is to be hoped, therefore, that there "ill be a cordial re spouse on the part of those bodies ; that are to be approached by tin Chamber committee.
In arriving at cost there are, ol course, many factors that have to be taken into account besides the bringing of the water in bulk to the areas to be served. There is a more or less elaborate reticulation system to be established among i the individual holdings, while on each of them there must be in- ; stalled methods of application I hat may have to vary a good deal ■ according to the natural contours
of the land, the character and quality of the soil, and the purposes to which it is being put.. This, at any rate, is the conclusion reached as the result of both experiments and experience in the South Island, where like schemes have been in operation for some time. But while these are details that will have to be brought into eventual calculations, there need in the meantime be no hesitation about starting a preliminary examination of the proposals submitted, or of any alternative schemes that, may be propounded as the result of the suggested consultation. As Mr. Smith has said, he is in no way wedded to any particular plan, but is merely desirous at the present stage to stimulate interest in something which, if proved practicable and economic, will be of great, benefit to the district. We are well on the way towards solving the problems of flooding from our rivers, and it is only right now to tackle the converse problem of how best, to use them with the object. of overcoming the. effects of drought.
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Bibliographic details
Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 57, 19 February 1935, Page 4
Word Count
677THE H.B. TRIBUNE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1935. AN IRRIGATION SCHEME. Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 57, 19 February 1935, Page 4
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