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if such, a large area would be likely to demand irrigation, schemes for irrigating smaller areas nearer the source of supply were investigated, and these are now under consideration. During my period of office I have received numerous and repeated requests to investigate irrigation possibilities in Canterbury. So far irrigation in that district has not been undertaken, the existing races being merely for the purpose of supplying water for stock, but there is now a widespread feeling in the province that irrigation on a larger scale could be carried on with advantage. There may not be any immediate necessity to commence any comprehensive scheme for irrigating large areas of land in that province, and probably if abundant irrigation water were made available immediately there would be no great demand for it. Nevertheless, the areas have a much greater productivity if they have a sufficient and dependable supply of water in the growing seasons. I realize, therefore, that it is becoming more apparent in the district that at least a thorough investigation should be made into the economic possibilities of irrigation in Canterbury, and of the cost of supplying water for that purpose. In every new country, on account of the rapidly changing conditions and lack of past experience upon which to base investigations, the undertaking of works without proper preliminary investigation both from a financial and from an engineering point of view is unavoidable. We have now, however, reached the stage of being able to devote more time to investigation and research, which will tend towards the elimination of unnecessary expenditure and of ill-judged opinions upon the economic value of public works. In other countries a good deal of money is now being expended for this purpose, much of it, of course, with a view to finding employment for the workless. I have decided, therefore, that before I will recommend for the consideration of the Government any very comprehensive scheme for irrigation in Canterbury, or elsewhere in New Zealand, all the information possible shall be obtained and be available for a close study of the problem. The experience gained by the Engineers of the Public Works Department and the experts of the Agriculture Department upon irrigation schemes already completed and in operation in Otago will be extremely valuable, but, as anything like a comprehensive scheme of irrigation for Canterbury will undoubtedly embrace problems that have been successfully overcome in other countries, it is felt that a somewhat wider knowledge of the work than has been obtained so far in this country should be brought to bear on the proposals. The Public Works Department has on its staff Mr. T. G. Beck, an Engineer who has just returned from a course of two years' intensive study of irrigation and irrigation problems over a large number of States in the United States of America. It is proposed that Mr. Beck should be placed in charge of the investigations into the future possibilities of irrigation in Canterbury. These investigations cover a wide range, involving not only large engineering problems, but a close study of soil conditions and farming methods in Canterbury, and therefore it is proposed to associate with Mr. Beck officers of the Agriculture and other Departments. One of the first and most important lines of investigation is the sources and the amount of water available and the cost of delivering the water to the land. Extensive surveys will be necessary to estimate the amount of water available and the cost of delivering it on to the land. Then, if a sufficient quantity of water is not available for dry seasons, careful investigation must be made into the cost of impounding it, because once irrigation is started there must be no sudden reduction in water at the periods when it is most needed. Many promising schemes have been partially spoiled for just this reason. Further close investigation must be made into the cost of spreading the water over the .lands after it has been delivered to the farmer. The nature of some areas makes this a simple and inexpensive matter, but in other cases the land needs so much preparation before it can be successfully irrigated that the cost becomes prohibitive. It must always be borne in mind, however, that the cost of some preparation of land is generally more than compensated for by the increased productivity obtained. This phase of an irrigation scheme needs careful study in conjunction with the estimates for supplying the water to the land.

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