BIG IRRIGATION WORKS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13182, 14 February 1936, Page 6

BIG IRRIGATION WORKS.

WILL EMPLOY 200 MEN. Electric Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH. Last Night. The Minister of Public Works (Hon. R. Semple) has given authority for lii.s department to make an immediate start with the construction of races for a big irrigation scheme to serve the major portion of the Ashburton county. The area covered will be 25,000 acres and the work is expected to give employment for nearly 200 men lor between two and three years. The cost will approximately be £130,000. The area to be served is between the North Ashburton river and tbe Rakaia river. The water will be taken from the south branch of the Ashburton river and will be conveyed across the north branch by syphon. The waters of the river will be augmented iroin Lake Heron high up in the Ashburton gorge, and in turn Lake Heron will be augmented by diverting into it a glacial river which rnn,s off the slopes of Alt. Arrowsmith. SUPPLY FOR SOUTH CANTERBURY. TIMARU, Last Night. The Minister of Public; Works (Hen. R. Semple) made a. short visit to Timaru to-day for tin* purpose of investigating a pressure water supply for the Down lands of South Canterbury. The scheme was sponsored by Mr T. D. Burnett M.P.. for Temuka, who arranged a public meeting at which the Minister was present. Mr T. G. Beck resident Public Works engineer, outlined the proposals, which aim at supplying water to an area of 123,000 acres. The estimated cost of the scheme is £179,000, o.f which £48,000 is for labour, the balance being for materials and trai i sport of materials. The meeting passed a resolution impressing on the Government the urgent need of a water supply and the Minister promised to give the scheme sympathetic consideration