DROUGHT AND IRRIGATION

Otago Witness, Issue 3556, 9 May 1922, Page 20

DROUGHT AND IRRIGATION

. SYDNEY, May 4. A report from the Manilla district states that owing to the drought conditions pastures are burnt up, and sheep are selling down to Is 3d a head. A bullock can be purchased f<sr the price of a pair of boots. Useful rains are reported in the southwestern and inland districts, where they are much needed, as the crops and pastures are suffering from the long dry spell. A BTG IRRIGATION SCHEME. SYDNEY, April 22. The return to droughty conditions has 1 revived the proposal for locking the Lachlan River, thereby freeing larges areas of rich western lands from drought visitation and opening the country to closer settlement. The scheme, which would involve millions of pounds, would water practically the whole Lachlan V alley. April 28. In regard to the Government’s country development plan, it, is understood that the first scheme to be adopted will apply to the Murray River lands, where 9,650,000 acres are at present held under grazing leases, carrying an average of one sheep to 30 acres. All of this will be available except about 20 per cent. The whole of this land is considered suitable for wheat-growing. In addition, there are some 390,000 acres which it is proposed to place under irrigation and divide into small blocks for intense cultivation. Three railways*, involving 300 miles of lines, with three bridges across the Murray, to link up with the Victorian lines, will be required to bring the area under closer settlement. Members of the Cabinet unofficially state that the Commonwealth and Imperial Governments approve of the scheme, and will provide the necessary money for the block. May 2. The Commonwealth Government has signified its approval.of the State Government's land scheme for the settlement of the Murray Valley the northern tablelands Burrinjuck and the North Coast. LOSSES. SYDNEY, April 27. The officers of the Auditor-general’s Department, reporting on Murrumbridgee irrigation areas, state that the loss on the areas to date totals £1.498,951. The loss for the past year was £417,399, and the trading loss, including interest for the same period, was £163,254. The losses are described as calamitous, and the question is raised whether the State has adequate security for the vast sums involved.