THE KAWARAU RIVER VENTURES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20448, 30 June 1928, Page 8

THE KAWARAU RIVER VENTURES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sin, — Allow me to suggest that the Irrigation Committee now sitting in Central Otago should extend its'duties to report on certain Kawarau River ventures. As this committee includes two highly placed engineers and several members who have had an extended experience of mining, its members are well qualified for the work. The shares of the Kawarau Company have dropped down to the amount of the dividend that may be expected to be paid out of the deposit of £IO,OOO in the Government's hands, when it is retrieved. From wKat I hear, men arc constantly at work making adjustments in the construction of the dam gates so that even this miserable return is being frittered away. It is in the interest of those who live lower down the river that there should be an investigation of the dam by an impartial committee. Then there is the barrage across the river for the Cromwell Development Company. 'The success of this barrage was largely boomed to promote the success of the bigger venture, yet upon being put 11 1 e test when the Kawarau gates wore shut, even with the seepage from the lake and the shotover. and with the Gentle Annie and Roaring Meg Rivers still running, the whole of Die water went under the barrage. This is a matter that has to be met. as the Development Company has the right to have its race kept full, ami the repair of the barrage is a contentious question. The settlers are asking that this irrigation scheme should be taken over by Die Government, so that the committee has a direct interest in the works.—l nm, etc. work's. — I am, etc, St.M plissimrs.