PROPOSED IRRIGATION WORKS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3456, 26 October 1885, Page 3

PROPOSED IRRIGATION WORKS.

WAITOHI FLAT. A meeting of residents m the Waitohi Flat district interested m carrying out irrigation works was held m tho local schooluouse on Friday evening. About 40 persons were present, and Mr John Talbot occupied the chair. The Chairman, after reading the advertisement calling the meeting, said most of them wero doubtless aware that they were only taking a matter which had been taked of for a long time, a report on the works having been made on April 10th, 1883. It had stood over so long because there was some uncertainty ns to the County being divided, and he himself did not at first feel inclined to push it on for fear of dismemberment. A special Bill would now be required before the County could be cut up. Another reason why ho did not push it was on account of tho fall m the price of produce a year or two ago, arid ho thought it better to wait awhile. Then again they had had plenty of wet seasons of late up till the present one. The meeting was called for the object of fully discussing »nd arriving at an opinion on the matter. Tho decision of the meeting would not bo final, as a poll would have to be taken. He had got Mr Marchant to go over the ground again with Sir William Wright and himself, with the result that there would be little alteration required m the first proposed scheme. M r Marchant was present and could speak for himself. Tho Chairman read Messrs Marchant nnd Meaßon's original report which, by request, wo re-publish. " Waitohi Water Bupply. — Report and Estimate of Costs by F. W. Marchant and G. Laing-Meason. " Source of Supply. — Tho aonrce of supply will be from a permanent channel of tho Opihi river close beside the sandttono cliffs near Prentice's farm, marked A on the plan. We propose to take water out of this channel by means of a large timber filter-box sunk m the river-bed, and supported on piles driven therein, the box being covered with a close grating to prevent gravel passing into it. Close behind the filter-box is a self-acting flood sluice, which, when the river is m flood, will automatically shoot off the supply according to the amount the river rises, thus preventing a heavy rush of water into tho main race, and consequently obviating any chance of injury to the works from that cause. We are of opinion that a dam or any obstruciion to tho free flow of the river would be always m a state of doubtful stability, and we have every confidence that the plan we propose will bo found ominently successful, and it docs not interfere with any existing conditions. From the point A the water will bo carried m on open race cut out of tho sidling of the river terrace to Ray's farm, where it tops tho terrace. From hero tho raco is carried, on as gentle a fall as possible, to the point marked Bon the plan. Thence tho main race will run down tho side of the road and along a natural channel m front qf tho Spur Hotel j and will end by feeding natural channels passing through the subdivision of R.S. 7099 and discharging into tho Rangitira Creek. There will be no difficulty m obtaining such a body of water from our source of supply as -will give n strong flow through all the races and channels of the system. " Limits of country watered. — Wo are sorry it is not possible to carry water higher up the Waitohi Flat than wo propose to do, but tho levels will not pormit it. Under tho circumstances of this case it is not practicable' to tuke water out of the Opihi higher up than the point we have fixod on, for the ground is so broken and precipitous that tho cost of raising water from the river to the top of tho terrace would considerably exceed tho cost of tlio wholo of our schomo. Wo think, however, should water bo demanded m tho higher part of tho Wuitohi Flat, an indopondont supply might perhaps be designed for it, at a moderate cost. We are not prepared, howerex 1 , to. give n positive opinion on that hoad. Wo are not able to doflno the limits of the water

supply m the neighborhood of Tetmika, for we nr« informed that landowners there have a sufficient natural supply independently of this scheme, so that, so far as we can judge, the actual area required to b« watered would not exceed 7000 or 8000 acres. We may add that by the *shburtoi\ Waterworks Act 1870, the water supply district there is defined as extendingtoadistunce 'not exceeding one mile out-ide the miter lines of the water mains.' The hiuhest line to which water can be carried by this schem- is shown on the plan by a green tinted line. --■ - I " Distribution of water. — It was our original intention to have laid out the distribution of the water m the sa,roo manner as m irrigation works, that is by delivering a certain quantity of water to each holding, according to its acreage. This would have made the works the most complete possible, but wo were obliged to abandon the idea, on account of tho expense. We now propose to cut races where Ehown by the red lines on the plan, and to turn into each of the natural channels 'a! own by blue Hues on plan) a. good-flow of wafer from tho race. By reference lo the plan, it will be seen that by this means water is carried through every holding. In laying off the races, we will avoid cutting up the land more than can possibly be helped, by keeping to fence linos wherever practicable. The holdings m this district are generally so Bmall and sub-divided that we are quite unable to do more than take tho water through each holding ; leaving tho question of a more minute division of it to arrangement between the Council and landowners. We would suggest, however, that all persons who desire the water to be distributed through their various paddocks should, before a certain date, apply to the Council, who would cause estimates to be made of the Coßt of these distributing races ; and on applicants depositing the estimated amount with the Council, that that body should carry out the work ; it being clearly understood that m all coses Ike water most bo returned to the Council's Taces. " Purchase of Land. — Tbero will bo no necessity to do more m this direction than ! purchase the strip of land along tho Opihi river terrace, containing about 16 acres. Each landowner whose property is intersected by one of the Council races, or by a natural channel into which water has been turned, will havo to sign an agreement with the Council to the effect that right of entry for all purposes connected with tho regulation of tho water or repairs to tho works shall be given unconditionally. This is tho way they manage m the Ashburton and Solwyn Counties. We at first intended that the lines of the races should bo marked on each owner's titlo deeds, but we are informed by tho authorities m Christchurch that this 'is practically impossible without very great trouble and expense. " Maintenance. — We are of opinion that it is quite unnecessary to make any provision for regular and constant maintenance on theso works ; and the £50 per annum will be sufficient to allow for it. With tho selfacting flood regulator wo have designed, it is quite impossible for a heavy rush of flood water to enter the ruco, so that no attendance is necessary at the headworks to shut down tho sluice m flood time. For the simple general maintenance of the race, we would suggest tho following courso for the consideration of the Council. That they should appoint either of ourselves or the Surveyor to the Temuka Road Board to make a general inspection of tho works every throe months for tho first year and every six months afterwards. If the Tenjuka Road Board would consent, any MMo repairs needed could be done by surfacemen, and tlie Council charged with the work. " Estimate of cost. — We have carefully and liberally estimated the cost of currying out the works according to our designs, as under : — "Total construction and necessary fencing £1700 " Land purchase, say lfia at £6 ... 80 " Inspection during construction, say 60 " Engineering and contingent expanses 200 "Total £2040 " Wo have, &c, " F, W. M abchakt, A.M. Inst. C.E. " G. Laino-Measo.v, C.E. Tho Chairman went on to say Mr Marchant thought the district might be larger and made to include 8000 acros. It was at first intended to borrow £250 >, but he (the Chairman) thought £2000 was nil that would be required, ns the natural water-channels would bo greatly used. The district could get the money at 6 per cent, but there would be the charges over and above that for maintenance and sinking fund. It meant a charge of 6d per acre. They must look at it m the light of buying a necessary article, not as a tax. Ho did not th'nk thero would be any trouble m getting the water easily, but there might be some little difficulty m looking after it at first. They could alter the district at any time. A few opponents should not be permitted to interfere with the good of the wholo district. The boundaries would bo declared m accordance with the Act. Persons who got no water would not have to pay. He went on to show how highly the district was valued as compared with some others, and yet it was wanting m water. The water could not possibly be got m this summer, but it should be ready by next. He wus of opinion the money could be got at 6 per cent from the Government Insurance Association. They could not levy a heavier rate than Is per acre. Mr T. Palmer asked if it was m tho district, and on being answered m tho negative, said ho would object to flood water. In reply to Mr J. Fraser, the Chairman said the water-race would run at the back of Rae's, then touch the cross-road, and into Jack's reserve ; then to Thomson and McKenzie's ; then to McSheeby Gcntlomun's, to the cornor of Holly's land, down by Stroeter's section to the schoolhouso, across Cunningham's and Cross', tho road bolow tho hotel to Currio's section, and on to Wright's »oolshed. It would then flush all tho blind gullies along its route. In reply to Mr Barker, tho Chairman said they could not go on his soction without flood water. In reply to Mr Moore, tho Chairman said the water might bo turned into blind gullies. If the water was not distributed through a man's property ho would not be charged for it. " . In answer to Mr a raser, the Chairman said he could not tell what sections were m the district, but they would bo given when it was declared. Mr Twomoy explained what had beon done m tho Ashburton district. Mr Crockor enquired whethor compensation would be given for land taken, and tho Chairman said he believed so if tho owner suffered any injury. In reply to Mr Orr, tho Chairman said those through whose proporty tho races ran would havo to sco that propor caro was taken of thorn. Mr Scott asked if Mr Marchant had mado any allowance m his estimates for compensa tion for damago dono to laud, and tho Chairman rcpliod m the negative. Mr Pierce was of opinion that a wafor-mco through the terrace would Btand, and wua m favor of piping. i . Mr Marcbant stated ho bad no doubt ths cuttings would Btand. As a matter of fuel pipes would cost far more. Tho cuttings would cortainly require clearing out at times. It was proposed to muko a catchwator drain about tho cuttings. Eighteen inch pipes would bo neccssury, and this would mean a vory hoavy expenditure, something liko £23 per chain for the two miles of terrace. In reply to a question, tho Chairman said tho Council would havo to muko all byo-luws that might bo found necessary. Mr Langridgo said no water wonld roacli tho end of tho terrace. The Chairman said it was not liko going over a shinglo plain as at Malvcrn. What caused tho expense was bringing it down the terrace. Mr Scott remarked thero could bo no difficulty m bringing it down a terrace, it would be m keeping it running. Inropfyto a question, tho Chairman suidj flumirtg"^'ould bo put m whoro necessary. Ho invited all presort for or against the proposal I to speak tlioir minds froelj. Mr Orr snid it was a question whother it would benefit tho dietriut or not. Ho himself would do his best for it, if such wero tho cose. Thoro wero plenty of men m the district to carry tho works out. Mr Scott said it was mote a question as to how they were going to pay for the works.

Mr Wright spoke strongly m favor of the proposal The Chairman said there was no harm m calling for tenders, as, if they were found to be too high, they need not be accepted. Timaru was a small community and paid £60,000 for its water supply. Mr Goodeve did not think it would be right to rate those through corners of whose properties the race might run when at the same time they might have plenty of water besides. After some further discussion, m which one speaker said the loan would decrease instead of increase the value of his land, Mr Chapman moved — " That this meeting views witli satisfaction the prospect of the formation of a wuter-race at Waitohi Flat, and desires that the County Council shall proceed as 60on as possible wjth it. On this being seconded and put and a show of hands taken, the Chairman declared the result to be 12 for and 10 against it. He added the real test would be at the poll. He himself was m earnest m the matter, ac he believed it would prove a great blessing to the district if the works were carried out. A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought tho proceedings to a olose. SEADOWN. A meeting of ratepayers of the Seadown Water Supply district was held m the Washdyke schoolroom, on Saturday evening, at half-past seven o'clock, to consider the proposal to borrow £2500 for the construction of water- races for the district. A good number of ratepayers were present, and Mr Bulfuur, Member of the Geraldine County for tho district, presided. Mr Marchant, of Messrs Meason and Merchant, Engineers to the Council, wns also present. The Chairman read the description of the limits of the water supply district, which is a triangular block bounded on the north by the Opihi River, the west and south by the main Mackenzie Country road, and on the east by the ocenn. The total area is 18,145 aures, nnd tho rateable value is £112,673. It is intended to take the water from the Opihi River, about li miles below Pleasant Point, and to distribute it through tho disdistrict m three main races The cost of theso, together with the headworks and engineering, supervision and contingent expemes, would be about £1200. A plan was on tho table showing the district, the different sections, and approximately the courso of the three water-races. In answer to questions, the Chairman stated that subsidiary races would be constructed, as part of t.lie scheme, co as to take water on to the land of each ratepayer. Everybody would bo served as well as possible. It, however, could not be expected that water would bo taken into every paddock, but arrangements would bo mado by which the ratepayers could distribute the water to Buit themselves and return it again to the races. Mr Marchant stated that the cost of the wholo water supply would probably not excoed £2000, it being understood, however, that it was impossible to say exactly until a complete survey was made and estimates gone into. The Chairman stated that the amount to be rai6ed by rate yearly would probably be about £200, say interest £120, maintenance £30, which, with some allowance for sinking fund, would bring it to that amount approximately, this be ng only 2Jd per acre. Mr Dale proposed, Mr Stevenson seconded, and it was carried unanimously — " That this meeting is m favor of the Seadown Water Supply Scheme being carriod out." It was the feeling of the meeting that the poll should be taken at the Bale Yards on the next sale day, viz., on Thursday, 6th November, as a number of the ratepayers would be present on that day. The Chairman said that ho would recommeml that tho suggestion be carried out. After n vote of thanks to the Chairman the meeting terminated.