SEADOWN WATER-SUPPLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1859, 28 February 1889, Page 2

SEADOWN WATER-SUPPLY.

A moat useful work, and one that is likely to exercise a material influence for good upon the district, has lately been completed by the, Geraldine County Council— viz,, the irrigation of the Levels and Seadown districts. To anyone familiar with the localt of this work, the contrast between tbat : dry and stony area known as the Leyels Plains, once an* watered except by wells sunk to a considerable der>th, and now furnished with numerous rivulets, must be at once apparent. Its stock-carrying capacity must naturally "be largely increased, while the ultimate influence upon the climate will probably also bo considerable. The advantages accruing are far in excess of the cost of the work, which does not exceed £2OOO, The total area comprised in the watersupply district is some 20,000 acres, and out of this it may fairly be estimated that fully a third is increased in value by a pound an acre. The land through which the races run is not, of course, all sterile—some of it indeed is of the very best, while plenty of it is of average qualify—still there much that until lately was comparatively worthless. Except in the spring, there was little grass, and grain crops, except in moat favorable seasons, were disappointing. On small holdings where stock were kept the toilsome necessity of pumping or drawing water was a great disadvantage, and probably many a poor beast has suffered from neglect of the herdsman. To day pumps and wells areata discount, and probably many of the . former might be picked up bargains. Although at first, like every other progressive movement, the scheme met with opposition, its unqualified success has completely converted its opponents, and many who formerly pooh-poohed the idea are now anxious to be partakero of its benefits. The cost to the farmer is purely nominal. For instance, one farmer has running water through about 600 acres for an annual rate ef less than £4. Along the races the clustering hoof-marks of sheep and cattle is sufioivnt evidence of their appreciation, while their improved condition should be a source of considerable gratification to their owners. Stockmen and others travelling the many roads intersected by these races will also doubtless find some benefit from them, for the refreshing drink obtainable will give new life to the wearied hack or parched cattle, and practically shorten the journey. The races, in all, measure some 80 miles, irrespective of small watering channels, or loop-racns. Roughly speaking, the district is all that triangular block comprised between the Timaru-Point and Temuka-Point roads, extending eastward to the sea. The beadworks are situated about half-a-mile above the old Walton Mills, the water-supply being obtained from the Opibi, Channels cut from the main stream supply several natural dams, from which the main, race opens out. Thi* is, in all, about 150 chains long, with an average width of 9ft, and a depth of 3ft. About eight chains from the dams above mentioned iseiectftd a self-regulating flood gale and concrete dam. The mechanism - ia most ingenious, and is from aa original design prepared by Mr Marchant, of the firm of Moason and Marchant, Timaru, the engineers under whom the whole work has beep carried out. By means of a ball

and fever connected with a spiral spring, •i the flood gate is kept open just sufficiently wide as to admit of enough wafer flowing through to supply the race and its numerous branches. This particular design has never been previously used, and the capital manner in which it acta reflects great credit upon the engineer, and also upon the contractor, Mr W. Fletcher, who constructed if. Further on the race passes through sundry culverts, all ef . concrete, and at a distance of about 20 ' chains from its commencement there is a cutting or oveiflow, which is arranged to carry, off surplus water, should it be P’"'- feqoirsdp" A concrete flood stop and sluice also serve to regulate the supply, so that unless some unforseen catastrophe occurs a regular head of water can always be maintained. In several low places artificial banks have been erected, while the water is carried over gullies in timber fumes 6ft wide, supported upon iron piles, and protected with concrete wings. At all roadways fords have been made and wherever necessary footbridges have been erected, all of which are included in the contract. The race throughout the Council’s acquired property, and also in places where the deep cutting adjoins, . the main road has bean substantially fenced. The first branch race commences at the junction of the M>ll and TernukaPoint mads. Concrete slops and regulating gear are fitted at mam junctions, so that in accordance with the s«e and length of the race, or in proportion to the number of its subsidiary branchas, the necessary head of water may bs maintained. This first branch is carried along , the roadside as far as Arowhenua, only in one or two places. Its section -Mb sft at top, 2ft at base, with two to one slopes. Loop-races are narrowed down to ISigMir the bottom. The majority of the races have been cut with ploughs specially constructed for the work. These are set to tha required size, and io favorable ground leave the races very trin and neat. In several places, however, according to the nature and level of the ground, the normal section of the race has had to be somewhat modified. At Arowhenua the first branch crosses the railway line, and terminates in a creek, communicating again with the Opihi. From it smaller races branch out through all the several holdings north of the Seadown Station road. The main race terminates at Mr John Scott’s, on the Mill road, about half-a-mile from the Waitohi Road Station. Smaller races then receive the water, bringing it throughout the whole of tha Levels Plains, This has been no inconsiderable task. The soil is shingly, and the levels unfavorable. The natural fall of the country is towards the sea, in the direction of which the races tend, but there is also a plight inclination to the south, and in order to reach a considerable block some of the races have bad to betaken northward, or practically against the fall. In spite of all obstacles, however, the a work has been very faithfully carried out, and stagnant places are nowhere to be found. In traversing the country, the rapid growth of vegetation along the sides of the races is remarkable, while fish of enterprising character, principally native smelts, are to be found everywhere. The present summer has bean in many respects a very unfavorable one for the * canPfing out of this,work. The river has been low, and there has been tremendous •evaporation. The porous nature of the soil, 100, through which so much of the water has had to be carried has been a great drawback. In many places the ground alongside the channels will be found saturated to a distance of 4ft or 6ft, and when this absorption goes on for miles it may bo imagined what a quantity ot water is requited to make it up, and also the preasuie that is necessary to force Ihe water through long channels. Once the water has flowed for a few weeks, _ or jven days, a wonderful change is noticeable in even the most porous of the races, sediment is gradually deposited, which, being fully saturated, acts as well as a glazed u. <oe » aDdiD * n courße °f t' mo absorption in nir .'"ourse, reduced to a minimum. vfUU loi Ul t f , | • | Until this con/M 101119 reached, however, the flow of wa is necessarily slow. Another tha * cansed COD : aiderablo annoyance tl,e Probing of the sides of the newly.o™ 8t ™ cted ™cea by sheep and cattle. No soo. ne r was water admitted to a previously paired paddock than the stock made straight . f ° r the race, trampling in the sides and in m-? n y instances almost spoiling them. The majority of,the subsidiary races have folowed fence lines, which must be considered a defect, though it is one by no J means duo to the engineers. In moat . instances they have been constructed there in deference to the wishes of farmers themselves. It will be readily understood that in this method there is a good deal of land wasted, and, moreover, as the fences are cut a certain amount of trimmings are liable to fall into the race. The by-laws provide for such contingencies as these, and part of the fiWger is duty is to see that the races are kept clear by farmers, but these laws ore constantly infringed. It is a mutter of regret that although farmers are gratified at the benefits received from these races, still, with scarcely an exception, they neglect the very trivial duties imposed upon them. The several races which enter into the Seadown district proper, are taken through the railway embankment in 12in. or 15io. pipe culverts,, protected with concrete faces. They terminate principally in water-courses or lagoons, The most southern race skirts the 'Washdyke township, and empties itself into the Waebdyke Cre«k. A branch from it has been carried into the yardti of the Sooth Canterbury Saleyard Com pany, and from it their dip is filled, the work of a couple of hours being now performed in about 20 minutes. The whole work has been let in three contracts, No. 1 and 3 haviog been secured by Mr W. Metcher, and No. 2 by Mr D. Qregan. The manner in which it has bsen carried out reflects credit upon them and the enginee rs. Mr James Radford, who has been engaged in a similar capacity upon the Rangitata-Orari and Woodbury waterraces, acted as clerk of the works, and his long expel lienee has proved of great value. The district generally is certainly to be congratulated upen the completion of this very useful work. Us successful issue will doubtless induce other districts to agitate for a similar privilege.