CENTRAL OTAGO IRRIGATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2921, 9 March 1910, Page 9

CENTRAL OTAGO IRRIGATION.

GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS. Some particulars of the Gc-¥ernment's proposal* in connection with the irrigation* of Central Otago and a small portion of North Otago are given in the Wellington Post. The Government, it is said, has decided to call for tenders in connection .vith a proposed irrigation scheme for the Steward Settlement, some 40 miles from Oamaru, which was acquired some years ago under the land for settlements scheme. Meanwhile preparations are being made for carrying out the scheme of irrigation for the whole .of Central Otago, for which a loan of £IOO,OOO was authorised by Parliament two years ago. Survey parties are now at work gauging the levels and creeks, and laying off areas for reservoirs, and Selecting the blocks suitable for irrigation. It is anticipated that the scheme, when completed, will provide means for securing the whole of the rainfall on the Upp&r Taieri Plains, and the construction of water-races round two sides of the Ma.niototo Plains, and probably down one side of the Ida Valley to Ophir and Alexandra. The water supply thus obtained will not only be used for irrigation purposes, where the land is suitable for that purpose, but also for generating electrical power from several of the larger rivers, with a view to establi'shing stations from which to pump water on to the flats. The reports of the engineers have not yet been received by the Public Works Department as to which will be the most suitable and economic scheme, and until they are available no further steps can be taken in the matter. The scheme is of the greatest importance to that part of New Zealand, as the area affected is of very considerable extent, and the final reports of the engineers are awaited with considerable interest.