OTAGO CENTRAL FRUITGROWERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2934, 8 June 1910, Page 10

OTAGO CENTRAL FRUITGROWERS.

THE IRRIGATION QUESTION.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER.

A deputation of Otago Central fruitgrowers waited on the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie (Minister of Agriculture), on. the. Ist inst. in the board room of the Land Office to bring under his notice the urgent necessity there was for a constant supply of water for irrigation purposes during the hot .months of the year and to urge on him the necessity of getting the Government to give this matter the earliest attention. The following formed the deputation, and included in it were some of the oldest orchardists in the district:—■ Messrs A. O. Iversen (Varde Orchard), Richard Dawson (Rose Vale Orchard), Dick (manager of Howde.n and Moncrieff's Manor burn Orchard), G. Marshall (Matangi Orchard), J. Eustace (Clyde Orchard), J. H. Hinton (Cairnmuir Orchard), Smith and Wilson (Earnscleugh Orchard), Mr Iversen said the Government was at present buying large estates and cutting them up into small holdings in other districts. This he quite agreed with so long as the price was no higher than the farmer could afford to pay, but in the Otago Central district they had no large estates, but they wanted the Government to help them to get water. With water the district could produce anything. He had heard men from the north say that they had never tasted finer peaches than those grown at Earnscleugh, and they can grow grain and other cereals equally well. There is a site, said Mr Iversen, in the Fraser River known as Shepherd's Flat, and several Government engineers have looked at it, but so far no 6urvev has been made or the

cost of a dam calculated that would store sufficient water to supply the district. The Fraser River has between 300 and 400 heads of water going- to waste for several months in the spring. This surplus water would be ample to fill such a reservoir; there is no need to take this water for irrigation purposes for more than three months in the year, as there is plenty of water up to Christmas in the Fraser River for all parties. Th.-re are some mining water rights at, the l.cttom of the gorge. They were used for dredging, but the deputation did not want to interfere with any of them, as when water is plentiful and more than they require it can be stored in the dam, and when there is no more than their allowance in the river the orchardists would give them all the water that was in the river, and no more; and the water in the reservoir could go for irrigation purposes. The settlers who use this water would be quite willing to pay interest on the cost of getting this much-needed supply. Hardly a week passed but someone called on him asking him if there, was any fruit-growing land available in the district, and he was forced to tell them that it was useless to take up land for fruit-growing or agricultural purposes without having water to irrigate it with.

Mr Marshall remarked that there was not the least doubt in the minds of all those who have had any experience worth mentioning of the climate of Central Otago, and of the Alexandra and Clyde districts more especially, that the main reason why these districts have not advanced in proportion with the rest of the Dominion, but have practically lain dormant for the last 20 years, can be summed up in one word, want of water. It seemed a rather peculiar statement to make when so many million gallons were passing by in the bed of the Molyneux every day; but still the fact remained that until this magnificent supply, or the enormous quantity from the Fraser River that goes to waste every year when the snow melts on the Old Man Range in the first months of springs, is made some use of, the practically desert lands in this district will still lie dormant and unfilled. Although practically the whole of the inhabitants, were engaged during the early days in gold getting, yet even then a few who. having gained some 'knowledge of fruit culture in the Old World, saw the possibilities that existed in the soil, and at once took steps to plant trees. He referred to Messrs Westwood, Feraud, Dawson, and Mr Iverson. That they grew well and produced abundant crops of *ru,it is a matter of history, and even to this day the fruit from Messrs Dawson's and Iversen's orchards bring top prices in the Dunedin markets.

Having latelv visited the locality known as Shepherds Flat, on the Upper Fraser River, he felt certain that for a moderate expenditure a dam could be put across one of the many narrow parts in the gorge, which would conserve sufficient water to not only satisfy the present requirements of the miners, but also give a supply that would serve the whole of this particular district, and at a level which would enable it to fee used on all the best fruit-growing areas in the foot hills. Notwithstanding all the disabilities the district, at present labours under in. the matter of the want of water, those who have knowledge of the capabilities of the soil are not afraid to back up their opinions by taking up land and going in for fruit culture. During the last 12 months 10 areas, varying in size from 10 to 60 acres, have been taken up, and this season he could safely say that no less than 10,000 fruit trees be planted on these areas alone, and in addition to these he intended planting on his own block this seaeon 800 grape vines. These fruit trees all have a small eupplv of water, but in the three hot months at the year there is never sufficient for all requirements. If more water were available at a moderate cost, there was not the least doubt but that very much larger quantities of trees would be planted. At ■present dried apricots, apples, peaches, and prunes are imported in very large quantities and here there was a district where all these fruits reach their highest state of perfection, yet trees sufficient to supply our own Dominion's needs could not be planted because there was not enough water available to irrigate them. /He therefore trusted that the Minister would give this matter his early attention, and as he had more than once stated, that he intended to doall he could to assist the fruit-growers, and help on the industry. . They therefore looked to him in particular to push on this irrigation scheme as quickly as possible. Mr J H. Hinton, as a manufacturer, emphasised the superiority of the fruits from Central Otago district, stating that he was backing his opinion by planting extensively on his area canning varieties- of stone fruits both this and next year. Whilst he and hie colleagues had a certain quantity of water, yet they desired the irrigation policy rmrsued with a view to the advancement of the whole district. Thousands of pounds' worth of Califorman fruits were imported into the Dominion from America, notwithstanding the preference tariff of 40 per cent. When the quantity of fruit grown in the district justified it, it was intended to install a cannery plant at Alexandra with a view of catering for the large Dominion demand for canned fruit. This district being absolutely the best for apricots in New Zealand. Hon. Thos. Mackenzie, in reply, said that he quite recognised that the district must have more water to be prosperous. There was not the least doubt that the fruits grown there were among the best that the Dominion produced. As regards the dam at Shepherds' Flat, it was not in his department, but he would at next Cabinet meeting bring the matter before his colleagues and do his best to get the work hurried on. In any case he would when he returned to Wellington, get full particulars of what was being done, and let the deputation know the exact position up to date. Continuing, the hon. gentleman said: You are all aware, gentlemen, that last year money was very scarce and' we could not undertake any fresh works, but now that we have turned the corner and money is getting more plentiful, no doubt such a necessary work as this will shortly receive the attention it really deserves. When Sir Joseph Ward was <n America he had' an interview with Tesla, a scientific gentleman who, no doubt, most! of you have heard of. He informed- Sir Joseph Ward that he would shortly have perfected a system to raise large quantities of water, at a cheap rate up to almost any height required. Having this information, it may have weighed with the Government when considering irrigation schemes for Central Otago and helped to stay their hand for the present. Fruit growers should'

(plant varieties which would be suitable for export. They had splendid railway facilities in their district, and' it behoved them to take full advantage of it. They must not think only of the local trade, but plant for the future oversea demand. He was very pleased indeed to hes.r that so many new orchards were being planted, and they could rely on him to assist them in every way that was possible, as it was his wish to give the fruit-growing industry every encouragement.

After thanking the hoh. gentleman for giving them such a patient hearing, the deputation withdrew well satisfied.