CENTRAL OTAGO IRRIGATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3870, 15 May 1928, Page 70

CENTRAL OTAGO IRRIGATION.

COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY’S TOUR. FRUITLANDS SETTLERS’ PLIGHTS. ALEXANDRA, May 7. With each new district or irrigation scheme that the Coinmitee of Inquiry visits one is struck afresh by the complexity and the difficulty of the case presented by the settlers. Generally the head almost whirls with conflicting demands and grievances, and a flood of impressions of all sorts of things that it seems can never be sufficiently sifted or arranged to be set down on paper. The Ministerial party of Government representatives which made a hasty survey two months ago, one feels sure, could not have fully grasped the magnitude of the task by which any committee set up would be confronted. They came to a district, were hustled through it, and bustled out of it with no time for more than the merest glance over conditions. It was sufficient, however, to demonstrate the necessity for some thorough investigation. This is certainly being undertaken at the present time with a thoroughness and detail that have provoked among antagonists to the committee a comparison between its passage through Central Otago and the slow and wearisome progress of a funeral. The sulphurous fulminatings of a certain section continue to be wreaked in private upon the personnel and demeanour of the committee with such consistency that one is moved to the opinion that their attitude is not entirely one of despairing or unreasonable bombast. It seems that a great many Jeremiahs exist who, though they might not be prepared to cut off their noses to spite their faces by refusing to receive the board still delore the fact that such a wholly proGovernment body should have been appointed. Moreover, a great many of these are to be found among those who have not come out in revolt. In spite of the fact that there are many in Israel who have not bowed the knee to Baal the committee lias not the confidence of the settlers that can be expected to produce the best results. The general attitude scarcely gives its members a chance to do their best, and on the other hand it does not improve the position of the settler himself. The opposition on the other side of the river has been consolidated during the past few days. Waverers have been whipped into line by a personal canvas of the district by the league’s leaders, and it appears that not only will the settlers refuse to give evidence, but it is doubtful whether they will even appoint a sub-committee from Manuherikia to -meet .the Inquiry Committee, notwithstanding the assurance given last week that they were prepared to go that far. Roxburgh and Galloway have presented no difficulties in the form of opposition, but the variety and importance of the changes necessary to progress in each of these districts provide food for serious consideration by the committee. Fruitlands has a totally different case - to- put forward, and the peculiar circumstances surrounding the unhappy conditions on the Manuherikia race'call for yet another specific consideration and' treatment. - Peremptory demands for the payment of water rates' have been received by many of these settlers, while on the other hand whispers have been hoard from the city that some have a clear case for compensation which should be gone on with in their own interests. Such things constitute an endorsement of their action which it seems has convinced the doubtful ones of the wisdom of their course, so that it is practically certain that the opposition across the river will be something of an impenetrable phalanx by the time the committee reaches that area. Further, the smouldering fires of opposition to ’ one, and perhaps two other schemes need very little fanning to produce a big blaze. AT FRUITLANDS. When the committee visited Fruitlands it was met by a sub-committee representing settlers there who had no difficulty in convincing the investigators of their unfortunate plight. The failure of fruitgrowing in that area had brought about a state of affairs that makes the concessions already granted totalling inadequate. The change over from fruit farming to dairying or sheep spells practical ruin for many landholders unless a complete revision of the situation is made. The settlers’ representatives were Messrs Denniston, Carroll, and Moorhead. Sir Denniston pointed out that they were not in’ any way antagonistic to the committee, and were only too keen to help it in its work. It was explained that practically all the orchards had failed, necessitating a change over from fruit to dairying or sheep, the cost of which was estimated at from £5 to £G per acre. During the transition period the settlers will have to live without income, so that ■ the present water rate was too high, and was pressing heavily on them. The Public Works Department had already

realised this, and a system of deferred rates had been evolved, which, however, had had the effect of increasing the maximum rate to Ils instead of 10s. What they wanted now was a straight out concession that would enable them to start again at theinitial rates of 10s and rise by easy stages to a maximum. It was pointed out that the orchard land had been bought at a very high figure in this district, and now all the apple trees had to be rooted out. Some of the land when purchased was planted and had cost up to £7O, £BO, and £lOO per acre. The Fruitlands Syndicate had made liberal reduction in regard to this land, bringing the price from as high as £BO down to £2O. First-class pasture land here the settlers considered to be worth from £l4 to £2O per acre. The present supply of w - ater—one head for 200 acres—was considered inadequate, and a request was made for one head for 150 acres. Other settlers gave evidence of a more or less private' nature, and the committee later made a tour of the various properties. VISIT TO MANUHERIKIA. ALEXANDRA; May 8. It must be admitted that the notice given to Manuherikia settlers of the Committee of Inquiry’s intention to visit that irrigation scheme this morning was short, but it must also be granted that the committee must make its arrangements day by day as any set programme for more. than a couple of days ahead would soon involve a process of leanfrogging from scheme to scheme. That could not end otherwise than in chaos. Still, the fact remains that the chairman decided only last night to beard the on ./ n hi 3 d en by visiting the source of all the opposition that has so far confronted the committee. A rendezvous 'Y as fixed., and more than one member of the committee mused for some time upon the possibility of deserted crossroads at the appointed time. However, at 9.30 this morning a dozen settlers were awaiting the party at the appointed place, and their spokesman placed their views before the committee very ably. Nevertheless, it is a significant fact that of 62 irrigators from Clyde to Chatto Creek who draw water from the Manuherikia scheme, only 12 were prepared to meet the committee. It would seem that members of the hostile Manuherikia Irrigators' League have seen fit to honour the pledge given in respect to meeting this body. ■» Those'who presented themselves at the crossroads this morning included members of the Farmers’ Union and others who, though they signed the petition forwarded to the’ Government mi April 27, nevei theless do not consider themselves members of the league. Whether those who do owe allegiance to this faction T 1 li a • to rc . frain fl 'om a statement ot their views and grievances when they find the menibers of the committee inspecting their properties remains to be seen; but to-day’s visit demonstrates the fact that Manuherika ettlers, or rather the majority of them, have decided to stand fast respecting the present committee. Short as the notice was it is certain that a great many of the league members were apprised of the committee’s visitbut it is perhaps unfortunate that misapprehension as to the committee’s intentions should have got abroad. Whoever conveyed the chairman’s.message to the settlers let it be understood that the committee had certain proposals to make to the irrigators. Acting on this assumption the secretary of the league (Mr E. RRto) got into communication with Mr C. J. M'Kenzie and explained that his body would like to see the committee's proposals set down in black and white. In return for such a consideration, it is assumed that the members of his league would have been in attendance at the crossroads tins morning. However, Mr M Kenzie explained that the committee was not prepared to make any proposalsbut was more than anxious to hear what the settlers had to say. j[r Kitto s reply to that announce■iieut was to the effect that he did not think that any menibers of his league would be in attendance in the morningami so it turned out. ’ The deputation which met the committee was composed almost entirely of Farmers’ Union members who have already expressed the fullest confidence in. the committee’s ability to deal with the present posi+i°T nt lll3 c an only be inferred that the Manuherikia League is determined to continue its obstruction tactics so tar as the present board is concerned ft is significant of the distrust and suspicion with which these irrigators view the committee that they should demand that any proposals which the committee might have to make should be made in writing. However, against this can be placed the serenity and undisturbed coolness with which all the members of the committee tackled the work or investigation; and, further, every holding in the scheme will be subjected to the same. exhaustive examination. As Mr K. A Rodger reminded the meeting heie last Wednesday the members of the committee have eyes. It will not be surprising to any but the malcontents themselves to find at the close of the committee’s deliberations that concessions barely hoped for now will be granted. THE DEPUTATION. The irrigators that met the committee at the crossroads were led by Mr E Marslin, who expressed the pleasure of those present at seeing the committee on the ground, prepared to continue its investigations. lie regretted the fact that the Manuherikia settlers were divided against each other; but, personally, he could not understand the exception that had been taken to the personnel of the board. He had known some of them for many years, and knew them to be men of undoubted integrity and of great ability who would do all they could to help the settlers out of their difficulties. He said that in their investigations the members of the committee would see some of the best land in Central Otago farmed by men who knew their job and’ understood irrigation; and they would also encounter some of the worst land that was ever taken up. He could assure them that the settlers were grateful

lor what the Government had done in giving them the water; but there were some adjustments which it was felt should, be made. One head of water for 150 acres was considered too little for their requirements, and it was also felt that 16s an acre was too heavy a charge when considered in conjunction with comity rates, rent, and the cost of extra 'water. The settlers were of the opinion that 10s was ample at this stage. No doubt the land might bear a heavier cost later on, but it could not stand 16s an acre just now. The committee, he said, was confronted to-day by men who were excellent farmers, but they could not make much headway. They did not consider the scheme a failure. It was a good one, but it had its weak points. They did not consider that they were asking for anything unreasonable—rather, they contended that the concessions they-were asking for were deserved by men who were compelled to work from daylight till dark.

Mr J. Keddell said that in his mind there was no shadow of doubt as to the inability of the land to bear the present charges. It could not do it. Furthermore, respecting the quantity of water at present supplied the settlers could prove very easily that it was inadequate. Mr A. Munro, a diary farmer, raised the question of stock water in summer time. His experience last season had been that it was not procurable at other than full irrigation rates. The position ■was serious for those settlers on the low side of the road. Those on the top side were not so badly placed, as their stock had access to the main race. It was thought that stock water, which was absolutely essential to dairying, should be available free at all times. He suggested that it was a matter for the committee to consider seriously. Even the charge of 6d a day for a quarter of a head was too much..

Mr R. A. Rodger said the committee had already practically agreed that stock water should be provided free at all times. The annual charges against and the capital cost of a farm must include the conduct of stock ‘ water on to the holding. The settlers heed not worry on that score. The committee had already taken the matter up. The Chairman thanked the settlers for meeting the committee as they had done, and assured them that the matters brought forward would be kept in mind when the ground was gone over in the next few days. HOLDINGS VISITED.

The remainder of the day as spent in a visit to several holdings on this scheme, where, as Mr Marslin had said, there was some of the best land and some of the worst to be found in Central Otaeo. A visit was paid by the members of the committee to the plot laid down in border strips by the Public Works Department. situated on the light shingle ground of the upper terrace. The plot nroved of great instructive value to the members inspecting it. It was laid down in the. border method of irrigation to ascertain definite data in regard to the., cost and feasibility of applying water to JJ 1 .°; that type by the border method. Ao information in this connection had prenousiy been available for this class of country, nor had data been collected in connection with the effect of water thereon. On completion of laying down the border strips the plot was sown in lucerne When the members visited the plot they were immediately impressed by the tact that, despite the care and attention devoted to this area, the lucerne stand was what can safely be described as a failure. Clear indications were thus afforded that on the light soils of this tjpe of low fertility value the growing of lucerne was a precarious undertaking, the value of this demonstration, even although it proved of a negative character, placed the committee in the position ot accurately summing up the potentialities oi that type of country, giving the members definite information upon which to base proposals as to the consideration which should be shown to that type of soil.

Ihe critics of the plot ip question, in asserting that because lucerne did not grow well upon this particular area, it was a worthless and valueless experiment, little realise that results of this nature, even though discouraging from one point or view, have an inestilnable value in pointing the way in which not to go. MEETING AT EARNSCLEUGH. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CRITICISED. v ALEXANDRA. Mav 9. Ihe statement of grievances made by the Earnscleugh settlers "at the meeting with the Irrigation Committee of Inquiry to-night included many attacks on the administration of the Public Works Department. It is clear that Earnscleugh settlers are not of a single mind in their attitude to the committee. Mr J. R. Laing was at one stage of the proceedings challenged as to the exact wording of a. certain document which was quoted as an instance of the remissness of the Public Works Department. ithout the precise wording of the letter he could not drive his point home, and he had to admit that he could not get hold of the letter, as it was in the hands of the late secretary of the Board of Control (Mr E. C.‘ Fryer) who was at variance with the present meeting, and refused to assist the settlers in any way. The points raised by the various speakers were in accordance with the plan of campaign decided upon at the meeting of Earnscleugh settlers held in Mr Laings packing shed last Thursday evening. One or two speakers spoke eloquently in praise of the work done in the district by the Public Works Department; but the majority of the speakers concerned themselves mAinly with the unfortunate conditions existing in what has been aptly described as the most complicated and difficult scheme in the district. Mr J. R. Laing welcomed the committee to the district, and said he would like at the outset to assure the committee that the settlers generally had not authorised the sending of the telegraiA to the Minister of Public Works (Mr K. S. Williams) over the signatures of Messrs Gillies and Fryer, which had appeared in the press. It was signed with-

out the authority of the settlers. He extended a hearty welcome to the committee, and assured it of the fullest evidence when it came to visit the scheme. Mr J. MTlroy was the next speaker. He gave an historical outline of the development of the distribution of water on the Earnscleugh flats. Mr Laing introduced the subject of the re-establishment of the defunct board of control, the abolition of which was the source of three of the principal grievances to-day, namely, overselling of water, double supply, and maintenance rates. In respect to me board of control, he traced its -work from its inception at the time when the late Sir William Fraser first secured his water rights. Under its administration the Earnscelugh settlers were the most satisfied in the Dominion —a happy state of affairs, which was in marked contrast to the conditions at present under the Public Works Department’s administration. Right at the start of the scheme they had suffered from the misrepresentations of the Public Works Department, and that sort of thing had gone on all through the piece. .He gave instances of misrepresentation on the part of the department. In 1924, he said, a fully constituted Board of Control was set up to administer the scheme. It lasted till 1926, when the power vested in it was withdrawn because the members refused to 'administer the scheme unless the pipeline extension to Blackman’s w - as separated from the Earnscleugh scheme, as the maintenance charges on the former would be so high in the near future on account of the poor condition of the pipes used that the settlers on the poorer class land could not pay it. Further, they maintained that those who got the benefit from that extension should pay for its upkeep. In support of their claim for the re-establishment of the board, the speaker said it had always conducted its affairs in a businesslike manner, providing a decently audited balance sheet for the perusal of settlers, which showed how the revenue was administered. The speaker had heard Mr Marks say in Alexandra that the Public Works Department was a constructive department, not a business one. The settlers were quite prepared to agree with him on the latter count. The board of control kept down maintenance charges and employed a gang led by a practical irrigator. The cost of maintenance today was twice what it was when the board of contorl was in existence, in spite of the fact that the Public Works Department had 700 acres more land to draw its revenue from. They asked that the board should be re-established, thus giving the settlers control of their races and in the maintenance and operation of the scheme.

Mr J. H. Forrest asked for a thorough investigation of the Walcotts irrigation scheme, which entailed a water charge of Is 6d per acre, rising to 16s per acre, and the settlers had to maintain the race. They wished to complain against an arrangement by which they were not only paying for their own water out of their third-class land, but they had to share in the cost and maintenance of the Blackman's scheme, which served all first-class land. They considered that their scheme should be charged the sjme rate, 4s 8d per acre, that obtained on the flats. Mr C. MTntosh referred to the question of the over-selling of water. He spoke of the Public Works Department's assurance at the time of the purchase of the second mining right (which allowed of the extension of the Earnscleugh scheme) that the original signatories would have more water when the new scheme was brought in. The settlers considered the offer alluring enough to complete their agreements; but when the extension was brought in it was found that the scheme was intended to cover a much larger area than before. This they considered unfair to the original signatories. The result was there was not enough water, and some of the larger irrigators had had to double their supply at the expense of the smaller settlers on poorer land. These settlers could not be blamed- for getting all they could; but it was not fair to the smaller man. One of the primary troubles was that there was not enough waterand never would be until either conservation or pumping from the river was undertaken. The only thing for the Government to do was to let the settlers know exactly where they stood and what they could hope for. The scheme was a most complicated one, - and he felt that the many contributing causes were going to make the committee’s work very hard; but he hoped its farm-to-farm survey would produce some benefit and relief for the settlers.

Mr J. R. Forrest raised the question of the separation of the pipq-line extension to Blackman’s farm the Fraser River scheme, as the connection of the two involved the taking of water from Crown settlers on the poorer land to give it to those freeholders holding the first-class land under the Blackman’s extension.

Mr Hinton objected very strongly to any suggestion that the pipe-line extension to Blackman’s should be separated from the Fviser River scheme, as he considered that settlers in that region were entitled to as much consideration as any others. They had spent thousands of pounds in bringing their farms into productivity. He paid a tribute to the work of the Prime Minister and the Public Works Department in the district, which was in marked contrast to the general attitude of the meeting. It was suggested that Mr Hinton was a good stone-thrower if his farm was three-quarters of a mile from the river. Mr G. M. Marshall said he would like to draw the attention of the committee to the fact that the fruitgrowers in Earnscleugh south were not associated in any way with those in the north area, where all the trouble was coming from. He put up a' spirited defence of the present scheme in his district, and pointed out the difficulties and obstacles that stood in the way of the immediate achievement of an ideal state of affairs all at once.

Mr A. C. Iverson said it was all very well to talk of the return of the Board of Control, as the two ends of the 'district found it so impossible to agree that they could never pull together. He also claimed that the Blackman’s and Fraser River schemes could not be separated, as suggested. From that moment the serenity and calm of the meeting were rudely disturbed while two factions, clearly divided

by the aisle running down the middle of the hall, debated with varying heat the pros and cons of a position which can only be understood by the committee after an inspection of the acre as concerned. Mr Laing thanked the committee for meeting them, and expressed the hope that that body would be able to settle their troubles now for all time. The Chairman (Mr C. J. M'Kenzie) thanked the settlers for the way they had spoken their minds, 'and assured them that the closest investigation of their complicated scheme would be undertaken. As far as he could see, the position simply bristled with difficulties; but they hoped, after a visit to the district, to be able to do something for the settlers. The committee intended to visit every farm it could in tne next week or two. They could not satisfy everybody, but they - would do their best. Messrs J. Ritchie and J. R. Marks also spoke on behalf of the committee, the latter dealing with the Public Works Department’s administration, which, he said, had been determined solely 7 by the policy laid down by the Government, This policy could not be changed at will. If the Government decided to act on any recommendations by the committee that constituted a departure from that policy it would be all to the good; but in the meantime the department's hands were tied. MANUHERIKIA OPPOSITION. A, meeting of the Manuherikia Irrigators’ League was held here last evening, about 16 settlers being present. Mr G. Asquith (president) occupied the chair. It was agreed that the settlers should ask Mr W. A. Bodkin to draw up a statement in accordance with which they should refuse to pay their water rates and protest against the deduction of the rebate payable if the rates were paid byMay - 14. It was unanimously decided to standby such an agreement and to secure the signatures of all irrigators in the scheme. The previous determination to refuse to give any evidence before the Committee of inquiry was confirmed. The meeting approved of the forwarding of the following telegram to Mr F. W. Furkert, engineer in chief of the Public Works Department:— At a meeting of the Manuherikia Irrigation League it was unanimously carried that we should ask you to come here at the earliest possible moment to investigate our troubles. Please reply.—T. Kitto, secretary. In answer to the peremptory demands recently made for the payment of watcr ratee the league decided to forward the following letter to the district engineer of the Public Works Department at Alexandra:— Sir,—Referring to your account for water charged to us under agreement with your department we beg to object, and the following are the grounds of our objections:— 1. That we have received no continuity of water supply during the past season. 2. That when we signed the agreement your department undertook to supply us with a regular service during the irrigation Season. 3. That the water as supplied by your department was so irregular as to be of no value to us. 4. That as a result of your failure to supply us with water as ordered by us we have suffered a very heavy loss. 5. We are therefore not entitled to pay - this account, as ■ your department has not kept its part of the contract. INSPECTION OF HOLDINGS. EXTENSIVE SURVEY AHEAD. 'The committee made Alexandra its headquarters while carrying out the task of inspecting every property on the Manuherikia scheme and various schemes that serve the Earnscleugh fruitgrowing areas. The former is easily the largest and most costly scheme in Central Otago, and the latter enjoys the doubful distinction of being the most complicated and unweildy. Both Manuherikia and Earnscleugh are labouring under difficulties peculiarly their own. Across the river the plight of settlers has been aggravated by the severe loss occasioned by the untimely break in the race which resulted in the loss of crops from complete failure or severe setbacks through damage.’’ These difficulties, combined with the various adjustments that appear to be necessary almost everywhere, will combine to make the work' of the committee very arduous. Moreover, when that body begins seriously to tackle the Earnscleugh fiats its members will be more than ever convinced that their duties are no sinecure. The settlers there have many complaints, the majority of which arise from a source which cannot be easily eliminated. It is clear that there is at present not sufficient water to serve the 2167 acres which have been signed up, and the committee will have to consider proposals for augmenting the supply by conservation or pumping, before any real improvement can be effected there. Though it has not been Officially declared possible, or what is more important, profitable, the pumping idea seems to be the most likely solution of the problem. The installation of pumping apparatus near Clyde for the purpose of lifting the water 150 ft, from which height it could-be distributed, has received very serious consideration by experts. It has an advantage over the conservation alternative as the district possesses neither the site nor the surplus water required to allow of storage. However, the relative merits of the two proposals will be decided by the committee after its survey of the district. For several days the time of the com? mittee has been fully devoted to farm inspections which, since they are of a more or less private and confidential nature, do not allow of, or require, publicity.