Letters to the Editor

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 142, 3 July 1937, Page 7

Letters to the Editor

J. A.

MILLER.

Irrigation and Drainage Sjr, — At ihe confsrence of local bolies with Mr Bromley last week iu Napier^ Mr Fohlen and Mr Hughes, of the Soil Sttrvey Divisioni, brought forward most valuable inforniatiott and suggestiona on irrigation and drainage. This departineut, undcr the Scientifie and Industrial Eesoarch Department, ie carrying on work that Should be better appreciat-ed by farniers generally and local bodies. The whole of the plains have be6n plotted according to quality of soil by testing and boring, and levels have been supplied to them by the Survey Departrhent. Aerial photographs help considerably to impress the mind and endorse the reports. The researches not only give the falls in the contour of the country, valuable for xiver board, county council and drainage boards, but also to farmers to enable them to develop drainage of their lands and enconrage irrigation.. Now is the faTmer's opportunity. The Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister dn-eharge of the Department of Industries and Commerce, will be here on Monday and can make an inspection with his officers. Mr Bromley, of the Employment Department, was impressed with- the proposal for encouragement ' of labour. The department has the money and is. subsidising, I understand, public bodies 75 per cent. and up to 100 per cent. Of labour costs. Wake up, you fr.uitgrowers and farmers in the Twyford and Fernhill districts! There is a water-race now from river to Fernhill road, Have this considerably enlafged and continued along the ridge from Fernhill to Stortford, thus seeunng irrigation to numerdus orehards on the north side of the road. This race would also supply the light land on the polo ground side. From conversataons I have had with Mr Lassen I att' conlident "he will support this scheme. Do not forget this work involves nearly all inhnual labour, and I am conlident the employment f-iinds will pay for iit, as the board wants work for stifftenance meil liandy to their homes. The soil-survey officers in their address tstressed the increaSed waterlogging of many orehards and low land south of Hastings., and considered this •water level could be reduced by taking part of the norma! flow of the old Ngaruroro river direct to Tukituki river near the mouth. This would be a simple scheme aud cost little money (all labour). Tap fche old Ngaruroro near Mr O. Nelson 's, allowing at all times only sufficient water into • the new channel that will reduce the ordinary water level of the old bed say two feet. In floods no extra water would pass into this new course. Surely such men as Messrs Thompson, O. Nelson, E. Nelson, Goodrick and Holden, would not be adversely affected by this .drain and should welcome the suggestiom They will have water for stock or irrigation and, further, they will get the tremendous benefit from Ihe better drainage of their country through this ehannel. Orchardists in the south of Hastings, these officers of the Soil Survey tell us, occupy land that is getting waterlogged and, in rny opinion, these orchardists wiill iind this Will increase yearly as the old bed of the Ngaruroro is steadily silting up. This will and is being kelped by the building up of the present Ngaruroro river-bed. Farmers and orchardists should get deputations to Mr Sullivan to support the Soil Survey officers and Mr Maddison, who dntroduced the matter to Mr Bromley. Mr Cullen being a farmer is keOn to help. Time is the essence. of the contraet. Now is the time. 'The Minister, the money and the labour are all available — Youre. etc..

Hastings, July 2, 1937.