IRRIGATION IN THE WAIRARAPA.
AN EXPERT'S OPINION. "It is no use talking of irrigating tho Wairarapa as is done at Mildura and other Australian places," said a New Zealand expert on the subjcct to bur Wairarapa correspondent, the other day. "Firstly," he 'continued, "I do not think that such a servico is necessary: the rainfall - has usually bean sufficient for the .purpose; Secondly, I do not think that there would be enough water in the rivers for a system of thorough irrigation. Thirdly, the expeuse would do so great that few of the farmers would be ablo to stand it. There is a ; great difference between tho quality of the land in tho Wairarapa (wbiclr is mainly rough' stony; ground) and - that of Mildura (which is - rich, level soil wanting only water). 'It would cost some of the Wairarapa farmers'a small fortune to get their lands ready for irrigation purposes. In fact, taken altogether, Now. Zealand has. not been found suitable for irrigation. There was a scheme tried some time, ago at Ashburton,but it has been, found to be a failure. When all is said and done, it will be found that the water-service system is tho best. This service has been of incalculable valuo and benefit to Wairarapa and from' Levin on the West . Coast southwards, whore there havo been several installations. Besides its value to stock generally, the system of running streams has been found to be ? an oxcollorit preventive of grass fires in tho summer time. There is usually a bolt of green pasture on either sido of the banks of these canals,-which;'with the water intervening, is; almost art impassablo obstacle to a running'fire,'unless the'sparks are blowing about." 1 . ' .. - Asked' iii what' manner . the' Wairarapa might bo benefited' by'tbo' water-sOrvico system, the expert expressed the. opinion thatit was badly wanted' iri the- OpaTd' district. The farmers thero -would bo, w;iso' in taking the matter up. Tho system was so cheap, and tho results so ; b'eiieiicial. 1
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Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 120, 13 February 1908, Page 2
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329IRRIGATION IN THE WAIRARAPA. Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 120, 13 February 1908, Page 2
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