IRRIGATION SETTLERS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1928, Page 4

IRRIGATION SETTLERS

’ DEMAND HOYAI, COMAIISBIOX. i By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright. DUXEDIX. March 3. A largo deputation, comprising 90 per cent of the irrigation settlers of Otago Central, waited on the Premier. to urge a I toy a I Commission inquiry into the administration. Tile petitioners represented 26.000 acres, returning the (iovernment £20,000 annually. They claimed that the administration had been unsympathetic. Water paid for was not delivered, and the water rates were too high on the light levels. They asked for an inquiry free from political influence. Mr Contes, who visits the district on Monday, at tin l outset stated that he thought a long how had heen drawn in many statements published and all the harm possible to l>e done had hern done. The Government had not been unsympathetic, as no settlers in the areas with payments had been summoned. Irrigation had heen a wonderful thing for Central Otago, aiul the country would look with complete confidence to ultimate success. Difficulties were inevitable with different classes of land adjoining each other. He promised full consideration of the request. LATER. The Prime Minister, the Minister of! Public Works and the Minister of j Lands will leave Dunedin to-morrow mor-ning to visit the irrigated areas of j< Central Otgno. Proceeding bv differ- j 1 ent refutes the Ministers will meet at , 1 Alexandra on Wednesday night to com- j i pare notes and summarise the posi- t tion. a Mr F. AY. Furkert (Engineer-in- 1 Chief of Public AYorks) will aeeom- r pany the Hon. K. S. Williams. p —i — ——■ l