THE IRRIGATION OF THE PLAINS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1385, 29 August 1885, Page 2

THE IRRIGATION OF THE PLAINS.

A meeting of those interested in the irrigation of the land between Orari and Rangitata hy means of a water-race was held in the Crown Hotel, Teiunka, 3 es-ter-day afternoon. Tiie meeting, which had been convened hy Mr Badham, was attended by about 20 persons. A plan of the district proposed to be intersected with the race was laid on the table. Mr J. Talbot, on the motion rf Mr Shiers, was voted to the chair. He said he need not explain why the meeting had been called by Mr Bidham. The object was to get those persons interested together, so that they might make any remarks or any ask questions on the subject, and thus enable the promoters to proceed safely 011 their way wi’h necessary preliminaries, such as getting the County Council to proclaim the district, etc. As

far as he was concerned he had no interest in the proposal other than as a member of the County Council, but he should like to see these sort of things go on, The proposal was of a kind that would benefit any district, and more especially dry plains. Land was greatly increased in value by water being brought on to it. Perhaps he might as well say there were two other schemes of a similar nature in the district now before the Council. One district was already declared and the other scheme was a stage in advance of this one- The petition had been presented and would be considered at the next meeting ot the Council. If this proposal were pushed on the Council could borrow the money for the three schemes at the same time. There were one or two things to be done. First there was to get the opinions of the owners of land on the subject; then there must be a petition presented to the County Council. He might remark that the petition committed them to nothing. No further steps could be taken after the petition had been presented until a poll of those interested had bee n taken. The probable cost would have to be shown and then the poll taken, Mr Warning; How is the cost of the loan repaid ? The Chairman said that would depend upon the terms upon which the money was borrowed. The usual practice ia to strike a rate that is sufficient to pay interest on the loan and in a given number of years wipe it out. The Chairman then said that one very important matter had been overlooked. They had before them the plan, but th* estimate of the cost had not been sent. It was some time since the estimate was before him and he had forgotten the amount, but he thought it was very small in comparison with the area watered.

Mr Badham said he had a resolution to propose, which would test the feeling of the meeting on the subject. The question was ; Would they wake up and take steps to irrigate, and thus improve, their property, or would they go on sleeping, as they had hitherto been doing. He would propose That this meeting consider it is desirable that a petition should be presented to the Geraldine County Council, requesting them to constitute the Rangitata district into a water race district, in accordance with section 34 of the Counties Amendment Act 1883.” He did not think he need say much in support of the resolution, as he hoped all were in favor of it, As the Chairman had said, the land was not Al, and it was their duty to improve it as much as possible, and the best way was to well water it. Fie would give them an instance of this. A few days ago he drove a number of sheep out of a paddock and took them to water. They drank so freely that he thought they would burst. Some people thought sheep do not require water, but he held that though they can do with very little water still they required some. The carrying capacity of the land was also greatly increased by water. He had very great pleasure in moving the resolution. Mr A. Grant seconded the resolution.

Mr Wareing asked if anyone knew how the Ashburton races were constructed.

Mr Twomey said the Ashburton water races were constructed under the present Act.

The Chairman said he did not think so. The County Council did the work. He thought the water races were spread over the greater part of the County, and so benefited it as a whole. They were built before the whole of the funds accruing from the sales of land had been spent, and he thought a great part of the ordinary funds of the Council had been spent on the races. The Council could not do that here, where there was a very large portion of the county which would not be benefited by the expenditure. As far as he knew the water-races at Ashburton were constructed by the County Council under the superintendence of of their Engineer, Mr Baxter, Mr Twomey : Under a special Act ?

The Chairman : Oh, yes. The Chairman then read the necessary preliminary steps that, were required to be laken regarding the petition, etc. Ho did not think the race, would add much to the capital value, of the lan I —about 5a per acre. He had spoken to Mr Meason about the water supply and enquired whether he thought there would be plenty of water in a dry season. Mr Meason said he believed there would. He had also spoken to him about the head works, which of course were the most expensive part of the work, and be thought Mr Meason bad said he had spoken to Mr Sbiers on the subject, and as that gentleman was present no doubt he would give the meeting the information he possessed, Mr Shiers said he had spoken to Mr Meason about the head works, an I the head works proposed to he put in would not ccst much. They proposed to use peiforated zinc boxes—not construct a dam. He thought there was sufficient water at the Orari for the race, but if not it could be taken from the Hangitata at a very slight cost, indeed, at leas than from the Orari. Mr Meason had told him he had a scheme for the head works of perforated boxes, and they would not be expensive. As regards the other part of the scheme, only a few plough furrows were required, which would entail very little expense. He considered (hot there would be plenty of water to irrigate the whole plain.

Mr Grant asked if the water would bo taken from the Gorge.

Mr SMiiers : Fes. Mr Grunt snid if tnat were the case there would he plenty of water. It whs rema'ked that more could be taken from Cooper s Creek.

Mr Badham’s resolution was then put and carried unanimously.

The Clnnrman then said he thought a Committee should he appointed, Mr Knght asked whether the Chairman did not think the p'an would want altering. The Chairman said the plan shown was not the final one, it was subject to alteration. In the course of conversation it was said that the length of the race was about 26 miles. Proposed by Mr Shiers—“ That this meeting appoint a Committee, consis'm" "f Messrs A. Grant, I). Shaw, and F. W. Badham, to got the oa'er-race petition signed, define boundaries, and also to act in the interests of this meeting to forward the formation of the Rangitataat Wer-race District.’ The motion was seconded by Mr P. Wareing and carried unanimously.

Mr Grant drew attention to the fact that there had been a few expenses incurred in calling the meeting vhich must be paid. He was quite willing to give something towards the expenses. Mr Badham said there was another expense which would have to be incurred. According to the Act some one would have to be employed to go round the district and get the signatures of those interested. Mr Shiers said he would put the names of the owners of each of the plots of land in his district on the plan and that would make it an easy matter for the person going round to get the signatures. The Chairman said he thought the same might be done with regard to those in the Temuka district.

Ultimately the question of expenses was left to the Committee to deal with the opinion being expressed that every one interested would be willing to contribute something. A cordial vole of thanks was then passed to the Chairman and the meeting terminated.