SEEPAGE AT SEADOWN

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23969, 9 June 1943, Page 4

SEEPAGE AT SEADOWN

compensation sought BY FARMERS Unanimous approval of a remit requesting that compensation be paid to settlers at Seadown whose properties had deteriorated because, of seepage of Irrigation water, was expressed at the annual conference of the South Canterbury executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday. The remit stated: “That this conference, continues to press for just treatment for those farmers whose land has deteriorated as a result of surplus water from irrigation schemes, and urges again that where damage to land as a result of irrigation has been proved, compensation should be paid, or if no alternative method of disposing of surplus water can be found, irrigation should be discontinued."

Mr A. Cargo, who outlined the work done over a number of years in an effort to remedy the position, said that a good rain would turn the farms into a quagmire. He knew one man whose farm had become so badly affected that the occupier had been forced to leave his property and take up work for other landowners. “If the Government cannot relieve us of the water, it should compensate us for the damage,’’ he said. “Some of the drains which were constructed were never bridged. They should be fenced; they have never been properly cleaned. A big drain wastes a good deal of room on a small holding.” he added Mr R. D. Robinson said that the Government should pay compensation. It was a debt of honour, he continued. Justice for the Seadown farmers would mean the payment of a large sum in compensation and the reparation of damage in a short time.