SEADOWN SEEPAGE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23186, 27 April 1945, Page 4

SEADOWN SEEPAGE

Problem Further Ventilated Request To Catchment Board

The seepage problem at Seadown was brought before the South Canterbury Catchment Board at a meeting in Timaru yesterday by a deputation of settlers, and the Board decided to place the matter before the Soil Conservation Council with a request that it be taken up urgently with the Public Works Department. The deputation comprised Messrs V. W. Wilson, A. C. Shaw, W. H. Orbell and S. Cargo. Mr Wilson said that Seadown had to take whatever drainage there was because it was the lowest area. Most of the trouble had occurred since 1937, when irrigation commenced in earnest. The main causes of trouble were wastage of water after irrigation as well as seepage from the irrigation races, and seepage from stock races. These, together, had caused partial deterioration of the soil which affected the volume of production to the detriment of the country. Mr Orbell said that the ratepayers were united in having something done to remove the trouble. It was most noticeable that in recent years wet parts of New Zealand had become drier, but at Seadown the land had become wetter, with resultant loss of crops, particularly wheat. Timaru derived a good deal of its milk from Seadown, but the pastures were being ruined, and Timaru must eventually suffer. In addition, some of the gravel pits in the district were now unworkable because of the seepage. He suggested that the water be tapped where it appeared. Mr Shaw suggested that the causes of the trouble were seepage from all the irrigation races which were more than 100 miles long, and these were fed by under-runners; by uncontrolled water following irrigation (resulting from inexperienced irrigators) and uncontrolled irrigation, at night and week-ends, and by seepage trom stock races, some of which flowed into shingle pits.

Suggested Remedies Speaking of suggested remedies, Mr Shaw said that there were at least two active springs, one at Hornbrook’s railway crossing and one below Kyle’s shingle pit. They suggested that these should be directed into drains and carried to the Washdyke Lagoon. The tidal creek should be continued on to the lagoon between the main drain and the sea, and the flood gates allowing the creek to flow into the main drain be sealed. He also suggested that the flood drain receive attention to allow branches and other debris to get clear. Mr Cargo said that since 1937 the visible rise in the underground water level in Kyle’s pit had been from Bft to 10ft in late summer and early autumn, even in the driest seasons. This rise was reflected in the lower areas which, prior to 1937, had grown crops of wheat up to 70 bushels to the acr«. To his knowledge none of this land was growing wheat to-day. He suggested that New Zealand was losing 40,000 bushels of wheat in this area alone.

Dr. Woodhouse said that when he attended the meeting of settlers he pointed out that the Board could do little immediately because it had so many problems to tackle and the Board had not yet got an engineer. However, the matter would be considered.

In reply to a question, Mr Cargo said that the spring at Hornbrook’s corner was not affected by irrigation, but was always in evidence following floods. It was on the outskirts of the seepage area. To Mr Jeune, Mr Cargo said that all the wheat land in the area had not gone out of production, but some of the farmers had had to lease other land on which to graze their cows. Most of the wheat land was now semi-swamp. Mr Wilson said that it was felt that if the two springs were tapped at their source and directed into the existing drains, a good deal of trouble would be overcome. To Mr Wilson, Mr Cleland said that where stock races were constructed in shingly land, there would always be a certain amount of seepage, and that water would find its way to the lowest point, which was Seadown. Mr J. O. Riddell said he felt sure that if the trouble was caused mainly by two springs, then he was sure the Minister of Public Works would assist. He was certain that the trouble was not all due to irrigation, and he suggested that the residents should get together and contribute something to the cost of the work. Settlers Bearing Loss Mr Cargo said that the settlers most affected had already contributed to a drainage scheme which had proved a failure, and he could not agree to the settlers contributing any further and at the same time bearing all the loss. Dr. "Woodhouse asked the deputation to remember that the Board was facing difficulties in the way of finance, and he asked them not to expect immediate action. If immediate action was not taken it would not be because they were not sympathetic, but because they were anxious to see that any action taken was the right one. The information given by the deputation would be of great value, and he hoped that something would be done sometime. In the course of discussion after the deputation retired. Mr J. O. Riddell, Public Works Engineer, said that he had taken out the figures of the rainfall on the Levels Plain from September last to March of this year. The area was approximately 21,700 acres, and the actual rainfall on the area in the period mentioned was 50,000 acre feet. In addition, floods had resulted in a further 19,800 acre feet of water going on the land, making a total of 69,800 acre feet. The amount of water put on by irrigation Was 5248 acre feet. He had mentioned these figures to settlers, but he could not get them to see the significance of them. He could not get them to realise that the Public Works Department was trying to help them; that it was trying to do the fair th Mr L. V. Talbot said that the question of seepage was so vital that he thought the matter should be discussed at the forthcoming conference of Catchment Boards. The matter was serious, and he was prepared to move that the Public Works Department be asked to take the Seadown problem in hand. , x ~ It was finally agreed to place the matter before the Soil Conservation Council to take up with the Public Works Department.