LAKE DRAINAGE AND IRRIGATION.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 63, 16 March 1931, Page 7

LAKE DRAINAGE AND IRRIGATION.

PROPOSALS TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT FOR MANY.

Proposals for the drainage of Lake Ellesmere, irrigation of farm lands and tree planting in waste lands, all as a means of creating employment, were discussed by the Citizens’ Unemployment Committee at its meeting thi? morning.

The secretary, Mr P. R. Climie, stated that the proposals were being investigated by the Unemployment Research Committee, which had been set up in Christchurch. “ Money Available.” It was considered that the drainage of Lake Ellesmere would prove the means of reclaiming a large area of land, and would greatly improve the carrying capacity and productive power of farms in the vicinity. The Ellesmere Drainage Board was giving the matter consideration, and the speaker understood that a sum of money was available for the work. Another proposal which was under consideration was that of irrigation. This was a class of work which would employ a large number of men, and which would have wide beneficial results to farm property. It was proposed t«k confer with the Ashburton County Council in the matter, as that district was one in which there were numerous water races, and it was felt that from these an irrigation system could be developed. There was also a third proposal. This was for the planting of trees in waste lands and for shelter purposes. It was considered that each and all of these proposals would provide work for many men.

Mr W. Scarff suggested that much information in the matter of irrigation could be. obtained from Dunedin, where irrigation had been dealt with on a fairly comprehensive scale, vm -ahqa e’cog.dcanu Mr Climie’s report was received.