PUBLIC WORKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19201, 18 June 1924, Page 3

PUBLIC WORKS

RAILWAYS AND IRRIGATION. The local I’nblic Works Department lias a large n.iinbor of men employed in Otago tit. Iho present time. Some 205 men arc working on the Beauniont-Millcr's Flat railway, engaged in earthwork, ballasting, the erection of bridges, fencing, etc. It is expected that this line will he open for traffic by next September, in time to carry the fruit from (lie district to Dunedin. The rails have now Leon laid within three miles of Miller’s Flat. bo far as irrigation works are concerned, the operations of the department cover a wide area—Tnrras. Ida Valley, the Last ■ 'banco scheme, which includes the Fruitlands area, Roxburgh East, .and Chatio Greek. About 307 men are engaged on I here different schemes. Last season the water in the Manorburn dam was lowered from 931 tto 60ft. 'lbis ronresents a largo quantity of water drawn off the irrigation of Ida Valley. Ihe -oason has now ended, and the (lam is Idling tip again. Vow areas ‘which will '■'■quire iirigatiou are being bought in all Mi • time, but there is plenty of water vcilnhle to meet many more demands. Mr L. B. Campbell, (he district Public Works engineer, has jest returned from a ■but to Invercargill lie states that the n'lway line fro n Tmtanere to Orawia is ■icarlv completed. Sixly-six men are working here. Districts Xns. 16. 17. 18, under the Main Highways sysloni, have been The district co'.meds are liow gathering information for the estimates of work to he done during the year ended March 31 next. These estimates will lie forwarded to the Highway Board for approval and (ho proision of ftmnee.