D—l
Rangitata Diversion Race : The maximum supply of 1,000 cusecs was carried in the race for the whole of the year. Irrigation supplies of up to 315 cusecs were drawn off between 18th September, 1949, and 31st March, 1950. All the remainder of the diversion race flow has been used by the Highbank Power-station. The race has operated very satisfactorily during the year. Central Otago. —As in the previous year, rainfall and water-supply conditions varied considerably throughout Central Otago. On the Omakau scheme the sales of water were 13,510 acre feet, as against 12,953 acre feet for the previous season. Here, water is sold on demand and not on an agreement basis as on other schemes. The rainfall on the Manorburn and Poolburn catchments and over much of Ida Valley has again been much below the normal. In the middle of the Ida Valley irrigation area the figure of 12-80 in. for 1949 was one of the lowest on record.
Details of the schemes in operation are :
The financial position is as follows :
The revenue figures are some £2,500 below normal on account of the reduction uncharges on Ida Valley and Galloway schemes owing to water shortage. Special Works. —Guniting has continued on the remainder of the upstream face of the Manorburn Dam, and similar work has been carried out on 42 chains of the Upper Bonanza Race. This work has reduced leakage to a considerable extent. A short portion of the Chatto Creek pipe-line, on the Manuherikia main race, was replaced early in the season with 42-in.-diameter concrete-lined steel and reinforcedconcrete pipes.
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Area Irrigated Number of Scheme. or Normally Charged for. Irrigators. Ardgour 1,322 11 Arrow River 3,241 53 Bengerburn.. 39 11 Earnscleugh 2,065 49 Galloway 2,651 21 Hawkdun .. 8,248 69 Idaburn 565 8 Ida Valley . . 12,358 63 Last Chance 2,818 31 Manuherikia 4,769 92 Tarras 2,698 15 Teviot River 3,900 47 Omakau (estimated) . 9,000 65 53,674 535
— j 1949-50. 1948-49. Rates collected Revenue Working-expenses £ 25j 304* 40,754 £ 27,349 23,962 40,662 Loss on working 15,450 16,700 * Estimated.