IRRIGATION PROPOSALS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 79, 20 April 1937, Page 9

IRRIGATION PROPOSALS

Block to be Farmed as a Whole Alternative schemes for the irrigation of the Ahuriri Lagoon area of 7500' acres are now being considered by the Public Works Department. Up until now the department has been concerned with draining the existing water ofl the block, but now the finak stage in the irrigation of the area as a whole has been reached. The chairman of the Napier Harbo:ir Board, Mr. Trevor M. Geddis, made reference to the lagoon in his annual report, adopted at yesterday's meeting. "A proposal for an artesian supply, conducted from the adjoining hills, may not be viewed with favour owing to the question of aeration, and it may be considered more advisable to oibtain the necessary supply of water from one of the streams , to be found at the back of the hills to the westward of Poraite," he said.

"It has been stated by the Commissioner of Crown Lands at Napier, Mr. F. E. Burnley, as representative in the district of the Small Farms Board, that it is proppsed to farm the whole block as one in the meantime, pending a decision as to the ultimate subdivision of the reclaimed land. The question of stocking is being fully investigated, and it is intended to appoint a manager who will reside on the property. "I will be voicing the feelings of board members as a whole, I am sure, when I take the opportunity of complimenting the officers of the Public Works Department upon their eflorts in connection with the scheme. Under the direction of Mr. W. Struther, engineer in charge, the work has proeeeded smoothly and expe^itiously, and the past 12 months have witnessed immense strides in the promotion of this huge undertaking. The development of this valuable endowment and its ultimate close settlement will alford a notable addition to tke progress and; a&vancement generally of the. Hawke's Bay district."