IRRIGATION AREAS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23351, 17 November 1937, Page 8

IRRIGATION AREAS

VALUE OF UNDERTAKINGS CENTRAL OTAGO SCHEMES ACTIVITIES IN CANTERBURY The construction of irrigation works is considered one of the most important developmental expenditures that can be undertaken in that it creates a permanent asset and one that has a cumulative effect on the prosperity of the country, said the Minister of Public Works (Mr R. Semple), in a statement which was tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday. There are large areas of fertile land in Otago, Canterbury, and Marlborough where the deficient rainfall at present prevents full development of the intense production which the lands are capable of when the proper moisture is applied during the growing season. Irrigation has been practised in Central Otago since 1919, and until 1934 the work was wholly confined to that province. However, the time has arrived when most of the available water supplies in Central Otago have been utilised, and the remaining irrigable land can only be developed at a greater cost. Except for the Maniototo Plain, where a gravitational water supply is available, most of the future developments can only be done by pumping, which involves large initial outlay and heavy annual charges "for power. Extensive Investigation During the past four years extensive investigation work has been carried out in Canterbury and Marlborough, and the result of these investigations proves that very large areas of land can be developed at a much lower cost than the remaining land in Otago. The main centre of activities in regard to irrigation development has therefore shifted to Canterbury, where the construction of several schemes is in progress. The largest irrigation scheme remaining in Central Otago is the Maniototo scheme with a gross area of 83,000 acres, and of this area the first development consists of 30,000 acres of the central portion which can be developed and still remain an integral portion of the major scheme. This area has been fully surveyed, but before the work can be put in hand the question of subdivision of the larger holdings must receive consideration of the Government. The revenue last year was £23,963, and the working expenses £27.234, which includes £6390 for the renewal of pipes on the Teviot scheme. The revenue, which shows a slight increase on last season, was not up to expectations, due to the exceptionally wet season experienced in Central Otago last summer. The growth of irrigation areas under Government schemes in the last 18 years is illustrated by the increase from 3200 acres in 1919 to 72,937 acres in 1937. Works in Central Otago The following is a brief description of the works in hand in Central Otago: The main races and laterals of the Omakau scheme were completed last year, and enabled 33 irrigators to commence operations. During the year a further 11 miles of distributaries were completed, thus making the whole 13,400 acres available for next season. This area will shortly be increased by installing a pumping plant to raise the water to higher levels.

On the Last Chance scheme the concrete dam at Butcher's Creek, containing 2056 cubic yards of concrete, was completed, and the supply, race, including 1900 ft of tunnelling, was also completed. The work on the. Fraser dam, which is to conserve additional water for Earnscleugh Flats, has progressed, and will be completed in time for the current irrigation season. The dam is 102 ft high, and contains 13.000 cubic yards of concrete. On the Manuherikia scheme a tunnel 5148 ft long is being constructed to eliminate a length of troublesome race in Chatto Creek Gorge, and the length completed to date is 3714 ft. A small scheme to irrigate 3000 acres near the Dunstan Creek is now under construction, and three miles of the main race is completed to date.