30 NOVEMBER NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE 4333

proposal aimed to improve the performance of the scheme and farmer confidence by reducing costs and improving the use of the available water resources. Water is drawn from the Opihi River for the first part of the irrigation season. As the season progresses, infiltration raises the level of the ground water so that it can be used for irrigation when the River level is low.

From 1986 onwards, the original river intake and races were repaired and renewed. The operation of the schemes was upgraded by automation and an increase in race capacities. The renewal included integration of the surface and underground sources of water supply through the use of pumping from ground water later in the irrigation season. This plan intended that users of underground water would be liable to contribute to the cost of maintenance of the surface supply scheme on which the underground resource depended.

However, landowners who do not belong to the Scheme were given permits to pump water from the underground resource without a requirement to contribute to the Scheme costs or to operate under the same constraints as the irrigators under the Scheme supply.

The final stage of construction of the Scheme was transferred to the Irrigation Company to complete in 1989.

A total of 85 km of race now serves over 70 irrigators. A revised command area of approximately 3,000 ha is now being supplied.

The assets sold include a Depot and a house at Temuka.

2. Previous Gazette References

1 May 1986, NZ Gazette No 66, page 1888

3. Purchaser

Levels Plain Irrigation Co Ltd

4. Effective Date

1.11.89

5. Date of Purchase

26.10.90

6. Date of Financial Settlement

5.8.92

Amount of Settlement ($)

7. Purchase price paid for the assets
   0

8. Water rates revenue refunded
   119,331

9. Other payments by the Crown
   266,115

10. Net Settlement by Crown
    243,840

11. Debtors transferred to Purchaser ($)
    16,654

Assets & Liabilities of the Crown before Settlement ($)

12. Historic Capital Cost
    1,675,100

13. Accumulated Liabilities
    126,175

14. Liabilities Retained by the Crown
    None

LOBURN

1. Description

This scheme was built and administered by the Hurunui County Council for the Crown. Special arrangements were provided for landowners to choose their preferred method of repayment for their share of the cost of the Scheme over 1 to 30 years.

The scheme serves 50 properties with predominantly horticultural supplies over an area of 280 hectares. Water is pumped from the Okuhu River into storage tanks and then gravity fed to individual properties at the required pressure for trickle or spray irrigation.

First supply was provided during the 1979/80 season. Construction continued progressively through to the end of 1986.

On-farm development was funded under the 1975 policy for 50% suspensory loan for a period of 10 years from the date water was first supplied to the property and finally ended in 1990.

2. Previous Gazette References

14 April 1976, NZ Gazette No 40, page 818
30 March 1978, NZ Gazette No 23, page 712

3. Purchaser

Loburn Irrigation Co Ltd

4. Effective Date

19.10.91

5. Date of Purchase

26.10.90

6. Date of Financial Settlement

3.8.92

Amount of Settlement ($)

7. Purchase price paid for the assets
   1

8. Water rates revenue refunded
   0

9. Other payments by the Crown
   0

10. Net Settlement by Crown
    1

11. Debtors transferred to Purchaser ($)
    0

Assets & Liabilities of the Crown before Settlement ($)

12. Historic Capital Cost
    529,713

13. Accumulated Liabilities
    250,885

14. Liabilities Retained by the Crown
    None

LOWER WAITAKI

1. Description

The Lower Waitaki Irrigation Scheme commands an area of 14800 hectares involving over 160 properties and 200km of races. The Scheme incorporates the Steward Settlement Stock Water supply race constructed in 1912. Water is taken from the south bank of the Waitaki River at Black Point into a ponding area and into the race distribution system.

Work commenced in 1970 and was completed in 1982. First supply was available in 1974 and progressively extended until the distribution works were completed.

The main races also intercept flood water from the hills and discharge this to both the coast and the Waitaki River. The Government paid the full cost of the Scheme and intended to recover interest on quarter capital under the Public Works Act 1960.

The area is fully developed for water use, this being achieved without any Government funds for on-farm development. Most of the area is border dyke with some spray irrigation on the more fertile soils. Water is supplied throughout the year to the Oamaru Borough and the Pukeuri Freezing Works as well as to two Rural Water Schemes. The old Oamaru Borough race system from the Waitaki River was abandoned with the completion of the irrigation scheme.

The Papakaio depot was transferred to the Company.

2. Previous Gazette References

16 April 1970, NZ Gazette No 23, page 670

3. Purchaser

Lower Waitaki Irrigation Co Ltd.