RACES DRIED UP.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20543, 19 February 1935, Page 10

RACES DRIED UP.

Serious Shortage at Oxford and Malvern. County Council representatives from drought-parched lands in Oxford and Malvern Counties and others from Rangiora and Eyre met at Oxford yesterday afternoon to discuss any measures which might relieve the acute water shortage. The ostensible reason for the meeting was to discover whether some joint action could be decided upon, but after extensive examination of the problem, it was discovered that the Eyre and Ranciora representatives were interested only in irrigation schemes and were not interested in improving the present water supply. The upshot of the discussions was that the representatives of Oxford and Malvern, where the shortage is extremely serious, passed a resolution that they would place their position before the authorities, and in „ conjunction with the representatives from Rangiora and Eyre, they passed a motion which had as its object the setting up of a joint committee to inquire into the position regarding irrigation and an improved water supply for the affected districts.

There were also present at the meeting Mr F. Langbein, District Engineer to the Public Works Department, Mr T. G. Beck, officer in charge of irrigation for the Public Works Department in Canterbury, and representatives of the Waimakariri-Ashley Water Supply Board. In answer to a question Mr F. Langbein said that a comprehensive investigation of the best method of ensuring a good water supply would probably take twelve months. The Government was spending £SOOO a year on such investigations. He added that it would not be difficult to make a preliminary investigation and disclose the position. It was suggested that a pumping system be installed instead of an intake from the Waimakariri.

Mr Langbein thought the pumping scheme was feasible, but it remained a question of cost. It would be necessary to discover the average needs of Oxford and Malvern, calculated over a number of years. Mr Walter asked whether the upper reaches of the Waimakariri had ever been surveyed with a view to establishing new intakes. The chairman: Yes. At the Gorge Bridge, at Rockford and at Otarama. It was finally decided by the Oxford and Malvern representatives that representations be made to the Government on the urgency of the need of a good supply of water for stock purposes.

After more discussion it was moved that a general committee be formed to; investigate the needs of the four districts for drinking and irrigation supply, and it was left to the councils concerned to appoint delegates to serve on the committee. The motion was carried.