IRRIGATION IN CENTRAL OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24606, 14 May 1941, Page 10

IRRIGATION IN CENTRAL OTAGO

10 THE EDITOR Sir,— l was surprised to learn from your correspondence columns that irrigation in Central Otago owes so much to Dr McMillan. MP. I have been associated with those working for the progress of irrigation hi Central Otago for many years. Alexandra is. the headquarters of the Central Otago Public Works Department and irrigation staff, and we appreciate the keenness which the engineers have shown in making a success of the scheme. The Minister most entitled to credit is Mr J. G. Coates. who was a frequent visitor end was greatly interested. As the work was started nearly a-quarter of a century.ago, it is hard to see where Dr McMillan comes into the picture. From inquiries I find that the only time Dr McMillan was here was when he passed through in the train on a visit to Queenstown. Two years ago I met Mr A. H. Allen, who was one of a business men's party that was here to see what could be done to foster the common interests of town and country. •• Certainly irrigation has been a great success. Land that took acres to the sheep now carries ss many sheep to the acre as the best land in New Zealand. The district is under a debt to you for the nublicity you have always given. It is not only on the farming areas that the irrigation has helped. Twenty years ago Alexandra was a decadent mining town. Now it is one of the most progressive rural towns, showing at the last census an increase of 42s per cent. —the third highest of any rural borough in New Zealand.—l am. etc., . '" " Senex. Roxburgh. May 10,