WATER-RACES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7177, 30 May 1891, Page 4

WATER-RACES.

♦ THE MALVEBN AUXILIABY SUPPLY. The formal ceremony of opening the auxiliary water-race, which taps the Waimakariri near the Gorge Bridge, took place yesterday. There was a large number of visitors, and Mr D. M'Millan, the Chairman of the Selwyn County Council, having let the water into the race, an adjournment was made to luncheon. This was supplied by Mr G. Piercy of the Sheffield Hotel in a temporary marquee which was erected between the bridge and the head-works of the water-race. Mr D. M'Millan presided, and was supported on his right by Sir John Hall, and on his left by Mr W. C. Walker. Messrs T. H. Anson and H. W. Peryman occupied the vice chairs. About seventy persons sat down to the luncheon, and among the visitors present were Me.srs W. C. Walker and C. J. Harper (Ashburton Connty Council), G. P. Williams and E. Dobson (oivil engineers), Captain Parsons (Bangiora), T. I. Joynt, (solicitor for the Selwyn County Council) Messrs E. M. Templer, H. Palairet and all the members of the Council except Messrs Dunlop, Weßtenra and Murray, who sent apologies. An apology was also received from Mr E. G. Wright. After luncheon had been disposed of, the Chairman proposed the usual loyal toasts. Sir John Hall then proposed " Success to the Waimakariri Gorge Water-race.-" He moat heartily congratulated the Selwyn County Council and the people in the County on the important and most useful work, the opening of which they had that day met to commemorate. Whether old settlers or not they could appreciate the value of the work that had been carried out. But the visitors could never realise the importance of the work to such an extent as those who had been here in the early days, and had seen the difficulties that all the settlers on the Plains had to contend against for want of water for their stock. He, and many of those present, could well remember when every drop of water that was used by their stock had to be carted from the river. The initiation of the water-races had put a stop to all that, and now that they had opened an auxiliary supply which would be practically unlimited, the advantages would be very great indeed. He congratulated Mr M'Millan and the members of the County Council on their undertaking. They deserved the greatest credit for the way in which they had done their work, hot only in connection with this race, but also with the other races. It was an easy thing for a Minister to sit down and borrow a million of money, call in an engineer and make a railway, as he could Bpeak from experience ; but he also had experience of County work, and it was not so easy a matter, before carrying out a work of such a nature as this water-race, to have to persuade the ratepayers that this or that thing waß going to benefit them, and to show them by facts and figures that it was necessary for them to put their hands in their pockets for it. Mr M'Millan, in responding, said that he was flattered by the reception the toaßt had met with. He admitted that if it had not been for the action of the Provincial Council it was doubtful if they would have had water-races to the extent that they now had them. In the first instance, the initiative expense, whereby they had gained experience, had been borne by the Provincial Council. He alluded to the fact that portions of the 6upply would be available for irrigation, and though he did not anticipate that they would go in largely for irrigation at present, still, as experience was gained, and the water was available, the County Council would offer facilities. He thought that, judging by the way in which the Bettlers were now in the habit of nibbling at the races for water, there would be no difficulty in the course of time in inducing them to try irrigation aB a pertr anent means of improving their properties. They had 122,000 acres in the district, andthey had borrowed the sum of _£10,300, which included the cost of the Kowai dam. That represented their whole liability in connection with water races. The present race had cost ..7923 19s 9d, and there were only a few small items left, which would not make it cost more than .£BOOO. Thiß was covered by a rate of Is B£d per acre. 'The interest on _510,300 at 5 per cent was £515, or Id per acre, the supervision and maintenance, estimated at .£9OO, would cost lfd per acre, involving a cost of 2fd per acre for the interest and maintenance of the double service. When the farmers began to use the water for irrigation it would be interesting to watch which water was the more fertilising of the two, the snow water or that from the rain river. He had Bpoken with Mr S. Bealey on the subject, and that gentleman was confident that the snow water would be the most beneficial, being charged with so much debri3 from the mountains, citing the Kaiapoi Island as a proof of this. Personally he was of opinion that the other water would be the better, judging from the growth of weeds along the water-races. ■ Where the races were fed by snow water i from the Bakaia they had very little diffi- I culty in keeping the weeds down, but in ' some of the races from the Kowai the weeds grow very rank. After testifying to the j valuable services of the Council's officers, Mr M'Millan declared the Malvern auxiliary water-race open. j The toast of "The Visitors," which was responded to by Mr W. C. Walker, Chairman of the Ashburton County Council, having been honoured, the proceedings terminated ; and the party, after driving down to Dean's Gully to inspect the lower end of the new race, embarked at Bacecourse Hill on the return train for Christchurch. All the visitors expressed themselves highly gratified with the day's outing.