MOST IMPORTANT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21449, 13 September 1939, Page 11

MOST IMPORTANT

DEVELOPMENT OF IRRIGATION Bv relegrapn —Presp Association WELLINGTON, September 12. Irrigation is considered one of the most important de /elopment works being carried out by the Government, states the Public Wo v ks Statement. In Otago there were 13 schemes in operation, commanding an area of 63,000 acres, of which 50,000 were regularly irrigated. Last year the revenue received from the sale of water was £25,980, as against £24,100 the previous year. Two schemes were in operation in Canterbury, commanding 17,403 acres, of which 2491 acres were irrigated last season, and £334 revenue was obtained. Concurrent with the construction of the Rangitata race, tvvo large schemes —namely, the Mayfield-Hinds scheme of 54,000 acres, and the AshburtonLyndhurst scheme of 34,000 acres—were proceeding, and were scheduled to be ready when the main race was completed.

Three other scheme would follow in due course to complete the programme to be supplied from the Rangitata Race, which is 42 miles long. Besides supplying 1000 cusecs of water for the irrigation of 234,000 acres of land, this race is capable of generating 30,000 horse power of electric energy during the winter months.