IRRIGATION SCHEME.

Lake County Press, Issue 2348, 27 October 1910, Page 4

IRRIGATION SCHEME.

Utilization of Arrow River.

It will be remembered that in the early part of this year a meeting of fanners was held in Arrowtown to consider the question of an irrigation scheme for the district. Many present at that meeting had seen the benefit of irrigation on Messrs Reid and McDowell’s farm. Lake Hayes, and Messrs W. Paterson and Sons’, Ayrburn. It was pointed out by the convener of the meeting, Mr W. Eeid, that the Arrow River could be lifted at the Falls, and piped down to distributing centres. He thought a three foot pipe at the head would be sufficient. These, double rivetted, would cost about 10s a foot put on trucks. Mr Fraser M.P., and Mr Mclntosh, Inspector of Mines, knew the need of such a system of irrigation, and said it had much to commend itself. Those present at that meeting said if the scheme cost ,£12,000 to >815,000, interest on that amount at say 5 per cent would rot be much, spread over the farmers likely to use the water. A Committee was appointed to enquire of farmers the amount of ground suitable for irrigation, and to approach Government with a view to sending an engineer to report on the scheme. The acreage given by farmers in the Arrow District was 2760, and in the Gibbston District 1655. The farmers signified their willingness to pay a reasonable tax for the use of the water. Government was communicated with in regard to this and the Gibbston scheme, and as the outcome of the representations made, Mr F. W. Furkert, District Engineer, Dunedin, visited Arrowtown on Friday last, and in company with Mr P. de la Perrelle, went as far as the Arrow River Falls, the suggested point of intake. Mr Furkert also inspected the farm lands of those who had intimated their willingness to pay a tax for the use of the water. In conversation with our reporter Mr Furkert considered the scheme practicable and the land in every way suitable for irrigation. We presume it will be simply a matter of expense. Mr Furkert did not visit Gibbston on the present occasion. Ha is acquainted with the locality and the proposed source of the water supply. The Lay of the country surrounding Gibbston is naturally suited for irrigation. From a general observation tho Arrow River commands the country between Arrowtown and Bendemeer, Arrowtown and Arrow Junction, besides portion of Miller’s Flat. . , . If the proposal can be carried into effect a very great boon will be conferred on the farmers of the district, whose farms have, for the past 4 or 5 years, suffered severely from drought. The farmers are willing to pay for such a benefit.