C. 17

1909. NEW ZEALAND.

IRRIGATION IN CENTRAL OTAGO (REPORT ON), BY MESSRS. BRUCE AND DOBSON.

Laid on the, Table of the House of Representatives by Leave. Hon. R. McKenzie, Minister of Public Works, Wellington. Department of Lands, Wellington, 18th June, 1909. Re Irrigation of Central Otago. In accordance with Cabinet direction, and an instruction from the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward 1 have the honour to forward for your information a copy of a very comprehensive report on the whole question of irrigation in Central Otago by Messrs. Bruce and Dobson, of the Agricultural and Public Works Departments respectively, together with a synopsis of the same which has been prepared specially for the consideration of Cabinet, and attached to which is a plan showing the several blocks referred to in the report, and the portions of the said blocks which are suitable for irrigation. Wm. C. Kensinoton, Under-Secretary.

Department of Lands, Wellington, 30th April, 1909. In Cabinet, 25th May, 1909. Circulate to Ministers. Vote and administration to be transferred to Public Works Department, A. Willis, Secretary, Cabinet.

The Right Hon. the Minister of Lands. Re Irrigation of Central Otago. The Secretary for Agriculture has forwarded me a report on the areas fit for irrigation, &c, in Central Otago, in accordance with a memo, wliicli I wrote to him by direction of the then Minister on the 28th August, 1908, to furnish a report as to what areas in Central Otago were suitable for irrigation. This report, I find, was placed before you by Mr. Ritchie on the 6th instant, but no summation was made of that report, nor any synopsis of it conveyed to the Cabinet; so that, as the whole of the vote for the irrigation of Central Otago is borne on the Lands Department's appropriations, I am bringing the matter again before you for further decision,

I—C. 17.