IRRIGATION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20474, 20 July 1936, Page 11

IRRIGATION

MAORIS SEEK SCHEME FOR AROWHENUA MR TIRIKATENE IN FAVOUR The desirability of securing a water supply for the Arowhenua Maori settlement, both for consumption and irrigation purposes, was the subject of much discussion when Mr E. T. Tirikatene, M.P., met a considerable number of his local constituents in the Arowhenua Hall on Saturday evening. The question was opened by Mr Tupai Reihana, who. said that with an extensive irrigation scheme at their “back door” the Maoris should have every oportunity of securing a similar scheme for their holdings which aggregated several hundreds of acres. On either side of the pa was a stream capable of supplying more than the amount of water that would be required, and it seemed most likely that either of them could be tapped. Water was to be taken from the Te Ngawai for the downs behind Timaru. The benefits of the Levels scheme were being conferred on a large tract of land, and he did not see why there was not a possibility of securing a supply for Arowhenua. In support of the suggestion, Mr T. H. Paiki said that the first step would be to secure the data necessary so as to asses the financial outlay. Right alongside the pa were the facilities for making the preparations and carrying through the scheme, as well as the presence of Mr T. G. Beck, who was an authority on irrigation and water supply. He suggested that the Public Works Department be requested, through the Prime Minister, who is also Native Minister, to have its engineer prepare a report on the possibilities of insittuting a scheme. Mr Tirikatene said he was enthusiastic over the proposal and would personally attend to the requests. The need for good water was recognised everywhere as a matter of paramount importance, and he was convinced that no Maori settlement was worthier of consideration in that connection than Arowhenua, which was the largest Maori community in the South Island.