WATER RACES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1941, 10 September 1889, Page 2

WATER RACES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The subject of water races is engaging the attention of the farmers of the Geraldine county at present, and the owners and occupiers of land on the banks of the Waihi river in particular. The Geraldine County Council (at the request of the farmers of the Geraldine Mat and Orari-Waihi) intend to bring three races from the Orari river and three from the Ha-ba-te-moana, and empty them into the Waihi creek—nick-named a river—that has too much water in it already. There are about a dozen farmers living below the place where the intended races enter the creek whose property will be seriously damaged if the races are brought in. Surely the council will not damage the property of these dozen farmers to accommodate about ten other farmers higher up. If the council intends to make water races to accommodate the farmers of any district it seems only reasonable that they should take the water back into the same river they got their supply from. It is to be hoped the council will pause before they injure as many as they aim at serving. Perhaps the council is not aware that we have too much water in the Waihi at the present time, and if they add six more races they will convert it into a torrent, and the beautiful fertile laud along the river will have to remain uncultivated. It is the importance of the subject alone that has tempted me to trespass on your space so far.—l am, etc,, A Stjiteber. :