THE DOWNLANDS WATER SCHEME.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21153, 28 September 1938, Page 8

THE DOWNLANDS WATER SCHEME.

Many South Canterbury farmers will regard the ceremony yesterday at which the Minister of Public Works officially started the Downlands Water Supply Scheme, with feelings which will be akin to relief; they will be relieved to think that in the not too distant future, their stock will not become disease infected because of unhealthy dams, ami what is more important, that their families and themselves will not need to suffer the hardships that a water shortage can bring. The official start on the scheme gives the date for an important event in the development of South Canterbury, and the thanks of many farmers and those who take their places, will be connected with the name of Mr T. D. Burnett, whose vision is on the way to fruition as the result of zeal and contagious enthusiasm. The Government, by its substantial contribution, encouraged the people of the district to help themselves. And in the bestowing of credit, the work of the Public Works irrigation engineer* (Mr T. G. Beck) cannot be overlooked, as it was his technical skill that made the scheme a practical possibility. The rural community in the area affected, will be eagerly awaiting the day for water to be turned on, but perhaps not until the scheme is in complete operation will its manifold advantages be fuliy appreciated, so great is the good it is likely to bestow, and so wide are its possibilities.