The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1882. THE IRRIGATION OF THE PLAINS

Temuka Leader, Issue 1007, 21 September 1882, Page 2

The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1882. THE IRRIGATION OF THE PLAINS

The irrigation of the plains is a matter that should not be lost sight of. The great advantage of irrigation is too apparent, and we trust that it will soon be attended to. A stream of water running through a farm is a great blessing, and saves a considerable amount of labor to farmers in the shape of pumping water for their cattle, but (his is not the only wav it would bo useful. The evaporation from those streams which would rise up during the day would fall down again during the night in the shape of dew and greatly refresh the land. The benefits which would thus accrue from it in dry weather would be very great, and would greatly enhance the value of the land. The work of irrigating these plains will not be very expensive Almost every farm—nay, almost every paddock is intersected by wcll-tL fined dry creeks, and all that is necessary is to get the water into them. Thus the channels for conveying the water the plains are already cut, and very little expense is necessary to render them all that is required. This irrigation question is not so formidable an undertaking as some people imagine The County Council have borrowing powers. They can borrow sufficientmoney to carry out tire scheme, and levy rates on districts benefitted by it. It will thus inflict no hardships, because only those benefitted will have to pay, and certainly it is very well worth their while to pay, perhaps, one penny or so in the £ to have a splendid supply of water running through their land, From inquiries we find that in the Waitolii district water cannot be got without going to a depth of from 50ft to 60ft. To pump this must take a good deal of time and labor, and we fancy that these people would rather pay a few shillings as rates in the year for a good supply than have to resort to the laborious pumping system. At any rate they are all delighted with the proposal, and it they had a hold of the councillor who signified his intention of opposing the scheme “ tooth and nail” they would tell him how much they approve of his conduct. One farmer, with whom we had a conversation, would like very much to get him to purr p water for 30 cows before his breakfast in- (he morning. He hoped that this would result in changing his views. This is the first proposition of any great importance which the Geraldine Council has discussed. Fur a long time it adopted the obstructive principle, with a view of rendering the Counties Act inoperative, and there is no doubt that by do:ng so it has done harm. But common sense seems to be asserting itself in the Council lately, and this may lend to that institution being as useful here as similar bodies arc elsewhere. , If they adopt the suggestion of Mr John Talbot, and irrigate the plains,' they will to some extent make amends for the past, and do a great deal of good for this district. THE FLAX INDUSTRY. The Bub-Committee of the Provisional Directors c-f the proposed Linseed Fibre, Oil and Cake Company met last Tuesday evening, and drew up a prospectus. The meeting was a private one, but so far as wc can learn they have adopted our suggestions. The first

ono was the name of the Company. It was first pro posed to be “ The South Canterbury!’ but to our mind outsiders would associate that with Timaru, and Temt'.ka would get no credit at all i>r it. Our reason for advocating that the name should bo the Temuka Linseed Fibre, Oil and Cake Company” was this. When the Company floats it is bound to be telegraphed all over the colony, anl if the name were “ South Canterbury” outsiders would think it had been started in Timaru, whereas if the name were “ The Temuka” people would say that [Temuka must be a go-ahead place that started a Butter and Cheese Factory and a Flax Factory in such quick succession. This would get. Ternuka’s name up, and it might induce outside capital to come into the town. We arc glad to find that this suggestion has been adopted, and must congratulate the Committee on their good sense. We believe that the starting of these industries has already infused a self-relhnt and enterprising spirit into the people, and that they it has done much good in this respect. During the last few days two lawyers and one draper’s shop have been opened hero, and we have been assured that the fact of such progressive steps haring been taken had a good deal to do with inducing them to eome.

The other point, with regard to the appointment of a canvasser, which we urged has, we learn, been also adopted, and we are glad of it, as it is bound to expedite matters, and result in the Company being floated much sooner than it would otherwise have been. On the whole we think that the flax industry is ahead splendidly, and there is not the least danger of it not being a great success.