IRRIGATION PROPOSAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 109, 21 February 1950, Page 2

IRRIGATION PROPOSAL

DISTRICT CAM V ASS ARRANGED A meeting of farmers of the district, held in the Pendarves Hall on Saturday evening last, set up a committee to canvass for support of an irrigation proposal to cover the county area bounded by the Rakaia River, the Wakanui creek, the railway line and the sea: Some. Id,oo acres are included in the area. The meeting, convened by Messrs A. Driscoll, L. Hanrahan and A. Rankin was well attended, 26 farmers being present. Mr P. J. Mowat was in the chair.

It was recalled that some three years ago a proposal similar to that now in process of formulation was put before the Public Works Department, and the then Minister of Public Works had promised favourable consideration of/the scheme once labour was available for so large an undertaking. It was cfinsidered by the meeting that the time was now opportune for the making of new plans and representations, and a committee to ascertain what areas farmers in the district were prepared to irrigate was set up, comprising Messrs E. and A. G. Rankin, A. Driscoll, J. B. Lambie. E. Lucas-, E. Croy and E. W. Buckingham.

It is hoped to complete the canvass in time to approach the Department next month, when the services of the member for Ashburton (Mr R. G. Gerard) will be sought in making proposals to the authorities. The committee regards its task as particularly urgent in -view of the very great interest afoused in irrigation by the recent visit to Winehmore of Canterbury Progress League representatives.