Selwyn Times: August 19, 2020

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12 Wednesday August 19 2020 Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz SELWYN TIMES News Irrigation changed face of district • From page 11 As farms were established increasingly further away from the rivers, water had to be carted in drays using 400 gallon tanks. This difficult process was no longer required through the efforts of Brett in developing the Malvern water race system. He was fully aware of the acute need for water on the dry plains and had a novel idea how this could be supplied. During his time in India he had seen how the irrigation systems there had been developed to provide water to marginal land. At first his vision of extracting water from the Waimakariri River to supply the whole of the Canterbury Plains was ridiculed, as many believed the water would be lost through the shingle. However, after the success of a similar system in mid- Canterbury, in 1871 the Canterbury Provincial Council gave permission for a survey to be conducted into the feasibility of Brett’s scheme. Once this was completed a recommendation was made for water to be taken from the Kowai River near Springfield. Work commenced in 1876 and by the end of 1877 the headworks and two miles of race had been completed and officially opened. Drummond’s smithy in 1874. Right: The monument over the Kirwee water race dedicated to Colonel de Renzie James Brett. One branch of the line followed the straight Tramway Rd from Springfield to Rolleston, through Kirwee. The water race eventually reached Kirwee in 1881 and at this time Brett and other farmers in the area had (probably illegally) dug their own connecting irrigation ditches to extract water from the main race. This scheme proved so successful in providing a constant and reliable water supply that a deputation from West Melton requested a branch race be built to also supply water to properties along the Bealey Rd. The demand for water increased with further settlement and by 1886 a new scheme was authorized. Headworks were built near Halkett and from this intake the majority of West Melton’s stock and domestic water was supplied from the Waimakariri River. The race system was extended over time and by 1889 it provided water to the new Christchurch Meat Company freezing works at Islington. The water race system is Brett’s legacy to the people of the district and after 144 years is still functioning under the guardianship of the Selwyn District Council. The importance of the system to the early settlers was summed up by one local pioneer: ‘Water has changed the whole face of nature in the district, and life that was hardly tolerable, is now worth living.’ Brett was also noted as a successful and influential farmer, being active within his local community. He was a founding member of the Courtenay Farmers Club in 1869, which became the Courtenay Agricultural and Pastoral Association in 1880, holding positions as the first president, and later patron. Colonel Brett died at Christchurch in 1889, aged 80. A monument spanning the main water race at Kirwee was built in 1930 in recognition of his contribution in establishing water supply for the Canterbury Plains and remains a feature of the township’s history. Cropping Farmers We WanT YoU We have many seed crop options for sowing this Spring. Contact us today for details of the following • Asian Brassicas (Both OP & Hybrid) • Radish (Daikon & Round Red) • Chrysanthemum • Garden Peas (Processing & Garden varieties) We have both large and small areas available of most species. These are all good yielding cultivars, well known to us but, we have increased area this year so we are looking for new growers in addition to our present portfolio. PROUDLY KIWI OWNED & OPERATED Growing seeds for a growing world Please contact the following personnel for further details: Kym Townsend 027 522 3060 North Canterbury Hayden Argyle 027 534 4534 Mid Canterbury www.seeds4u.com | 1153 Springs Rd, Lincoln | 140 Rolleston St, Rakaia
SELWYN TIMES Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Wednesday August 19 2020 13 CHRISTCHURCH OWNED & OPERATED BUY ONLINE, COLLECT IN STORE OR CHOOSE CONTACTLESS DELIVERY 1 2 3 Shop online. mitre10.co.nz Fill your cart with all your project needs. Choose how to collect. THE MEGA GARDEN TOOL SALE NOW ON! up to 60% off! Mitre 10 MEGA Hornby Mitre 10 MEGA Papanui Ph: 03 349 8497 Ph: 03 359 5443 *if you find the product cheaper from another Mitre 10 store or *if you find a lower price on an identical Mitre 10 website we will match that price. Excludes trade and stocked product locally we will beat it by 15% special quotes, stock liqidations and commerical quanities. The in-store price may be lower than that advertised.
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Selwyn Times: August 19, 2020

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