MAGICAL WATER.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1926, Page 4

MAGICAL WATER.

— —. WONDERS IN OTAGO CENTRAL. (IUKKNSTOWX. March !. lin- necessity I, ■ r more production has been stressed of late by various Ministers of the Crown, and with the object of inspecting the capacity ol Cen--11 ”1 IHa go to meet, its share m Hull necessity. an important .Ministerial visit is being made at present to the

irrigation areas. A number of hold enerprises have been ill I lie process of development fur some years hy the Public Works Depart menl. Various of these enter-

prises have been operating for some time, and they provide a fair idea of what Otago Central will he like when

the maximum area is brought under the influence of water.

I ho party comprises he I’rime Mi nisei-. the lion. A. D. Aid.cod. the ||i n. (I, Hawken. Dr Henkes (Director-Gene-ral of Agriculture). Air I). E. Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of the I’rimc Minister's Department. Ah' A. Galbraith. Commissioner of Grown l-amls. and members of the Agricultural ami Public Works Department. Ihe party left Dunedin by special train this morning for Miller's Flat, the present term inns of the Roxburgh railway. A construction gang is |j tt -1 1 - ing this railway on over the dozen miles required to take it to the projected terminus at Roxburgh, and il should not he long until ibis ancient project is coni pie ted. This trip was completed by motor for the 100 odd miles between .Miller’s Elat and (,)uee.nslown. The smaller of the irrigation systems only was seen 10-day, i.e.. in the vicinity t.f the fruit lands on tlte Earnscleugh Elat, and in the gorge between Clyde aiul Cromwell. The most important of these will he more fully inspected later in the trip, as will also the big projects in other districts. However, enough was seen to impress the visitors especially those who knew Otago Central a decade or more ago. of the magical influence the application of water is having on it. The face of the country is undergoing a compiefe transformation, and it is obvious that this part of the Sr it lit Island will fulfil its mission in the promotion of production.

The potential increase may he visualised from the fact that including private schemes, an area of -tllfl.llUO acres is considered as capable of irrigation. Ol this area about 18,000 acres are now being fully treated, and by next Spring a considerable area will he added. The Prime Minister has been a stout supporter of the policy of irrigation, and it is largely due to his progressive spirit that the works arc making such sound headway.

Tim party proceeds to-morrow to Pembroke, and Jtawea Flat, and back via Cromwell to Clyde and Alexandra, staying there the night. On AYodnesilay the systems between Alexandra and Naseby will be inspected. Next day, with the exception of Air Hawken. who is to visit Southland, the party will go throng 1 !. Dansoy's Pass, to North Otago, reaching Christchurch on Friday. The party so far is being favoured with perfect weather.