“THE ROARING MEG.”

Otago Witness, Issue 3769, 8 June 1926, Page 79

“THE ROARING MEG.”

IRRIGATION SCHEME PROBLEM.

"I think we can see a way in which a modification of tho Roaring Meg irriga tion scheme, together with an electric power scheme can lie carried out in a practical way, and with success,” said Mr J. R. Marks, Public Works engineer, in charge of irrigation, last week. The statement made by Mr Marks will come as welcome news to. the settlers and fruitgrowers in the Cromwell district, who are vitally interested in the bringing of water to tne irrigable lands by moan 6 of the Roaring Meg. During his last tour of Central Otago when the irrigation question was investigated in each district, a gathering of some 20 eettlers met the Right Hon. J. G. Coates at Cromwell, and requested some indica tion as to the policy of the department in regard to the scheme. They indicated their anxiety as to the prospect f getting water to the areas that needed irrigation so badly and w iehed to know the probable co-t. In reply, the Prime Minister stated that surveys showed the cost worked out at 26e per acre—a very high one—and the Government was not sure that the settlers could afford to pay so much per acre He suggested that the officers of the departments concerned should meet the settler* and discuss the position with a view to finding some way by which the cost could be reduced. Lfitelv various Irrigation questions have been left in the hands of a board of investigation, consisting of Messrs -J. R. Marks. R. B. Tennant, and A. it. Rodger, and the Roaring Meg scheme is one of the problems left to it for solution ‘Since the visit to Central Otago there have been other dwelopments,” said Mr Marks. “A mining dredge concern has been onened on the Upper ClutSa, and this will require electric power. We mav be able to thus associate the scheme with the Otago Electric P wer Board. Negotiations arc now in progress, and I think I can see a we™ to tho proposal.”