Irrigation - New Zealand - Canterbury Region

Date: 1938

Reference: PA1-q-052

Description: Album chiefly shows members of a Lands & Survey team surveying boundaries etc, in the Chatham Islands, and in South Canterbury, circa 1938. Residents of the Chatham Islands, various locations in the islands and activities such as sheep transportation from the islands to Lyttelton and Wellington by ship are shown. Another sequence shows drainage and irrigation procedures in South Canterbury. The photographer is probably Russell Gladstone Dick, later the New Zealand Surveyor-General. Other - Source of descriptive information - Card inserted in album which reads "Ample evidence this is a 1938 Lands and Surveys team surveying boundaries etc ... The photographer is shown in photos 126, 127 and 112, and is probably Mr Dick, later NZ Surveyoe General ..." Signed "Rhys Richards". Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Dark blue cloth-covered album, 35.5 x 22.5 cm

Date: 1984

By: New Zealand. Ministry of Works and Development

Reference: Eph-E-WORKS-1984-01

Description: Shows a map of Canterbury with irrigation schemes marked. Current schemes are indicated, as well as future possibilities, and likely ground water supplied areas. Other Titles - Christchurch Quantity: 1 colour photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Photolithograph on poster, 870 x 620 mm. Provenance: Donated by Christchurch College of Education in 2003.

Date: 2 Nov 2007 - 02 Nov 2007

From: Methven Heritage Project - RSA and Arable oral history project

By: Henderson, Graham Bruce, 1929-

Reference: OHInt-0920-06

Description: Interview with Bruce Henderson, born in Ashburton in 1929. Outlines his family background in Canterbury, and his father and six uncles all serving in World War I. Refers to his father farming on a soldier settlement block of 260 acres at Lyndhurst from 1920. Refers to his schooling, playing rugby, and cycling everywhere. Talks about the food they ate at home, having their own hens and pigs and meat from the farm. Comments that his father had a tractor by the time he was born so that he did not work with horses. Talks about not having irrigation on the farm during the dry 1930s. Mentions wet years in the 1940s, a heavy snowfall in 1945 and a massive hail storm in 1946. Refers to getting irrigation in 1948 and having to make the border dykes to avoid flooding. Describes manual watering from the ditches using canvas sheets in the early years until they could afford to install automated watering systems. Mentions having to build up the fertility of the soil to grow white clover and breed sheep successfully. Refers to marrying in 1954 and taking over the farm from his father in 1955. Discusses arable farming and using contractors to harvest. Talks about using direct drilling rather than ploughing from the late 1970s. Mentions crops he grew including white clover, sunflowers, linseed, dill and parsley for seeds as well as wheat and barley. Refers to having two thirds of the land in pasture for sheep. Talks about buying more land until he had 3,000 acres. Comments that each of his four sons now farms 700 to 800 acres, and he and his wife look after 140 acres. Refers to setting up a partnership with his sons when they were young, to reduce taxation. Mentions the contribution of his wife to the farm and business over the years. Discusses farming in recent years becoming harder and the influx of dairying into Canterbury. Outlines his community and social activities during his life - playing rugby when he was young, being in a pipe band for a period, and 35 years active in the Methven Presbyterian Church. Refers to being active in the Methven Young Farmers Club, Federated Farmers and the Lyndhurst Home and School. Interviewer(s) - Nicola Robertson Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-016747- OHC-016749 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 2.53 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Textual files - Adobe pdf Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-6028, OHDL-001823. Search dates: 1929 - 2007

Date: 05, 12 Nov 2007 - 05 Nov 2007 - 12 Nov 2007

From: Methven Heritage Project - RSA and Arable oral history project

By: Lill, Gordon Thomas, 1921-2009

Reference: OHInt-0920-10

Description: Interview with Gordon Lill. Born in 1921 in Ashburton. Backgrounds paternal family, parents Wilfred Thomas Lill, mother Edith Francis Caroline Lill (nee Watson), grandfather William Thomas Lill, farmer in Ashburton, and grandmother Clara Lill (nee Taylor), who was involved in temperance union movement. Mentions maternal grandparents Joseph Watson, headmaster of Willowby primary school and Emily Watson (nee Hight) from Brookside. Says he went to Westerfield primary school and Ashburton High School. Refers to taking agricultural course and having John Bell scholarship. Describes growing up on 'Lone Pine' farm, Westerfield, cooking on coal range, pitting root vegetables for winter, milking, using Clydesdale horses. Details growing oats and grass seed, turnips, giant rape, reaping oats, working the chaff cutter. Mentions family had thrashing mill and traction engine. Talks about impact of 1928 slump and 1930s Depression and mortgagee sales. Says father sold Westerfield farm to clear debt and bought small farm at Eiffelton with money from maternal grandfather's estate. Explains crops grown were wheat, ryegrass and barley. Talks about being called up for army training at Burnham, then being manpowered out in 1940 to work at Mesopotamia sheep station and Inverary station. Describes autumn muster, and blade shearing. Mentions manpower shortage during World War two. Recalls marriage to Doris Joan Davison and big snow of 1945. Says bought sheep farm at Montalto with his parents. Describes developing the farm, stone picking, having the house divided into two flats. Purchased farm at Springburn, and another block where he farmed sheep and cattle. Bought property at Carew to farm sheep. Details border dyke irrigation process. Talks about water allocation, changing from government to private ownership as Hinds Mayfield Irrigation Scheme. Refers to building new house at Carew. Explains purchase of 'Whenuapai' farm at Cairnbrae, Methven, in 1962 or 1963 which was a mixed cropping farm with wheat, barley, peas, grass seed and Border Romney or Coopworth sheep. Refers to International Agricultural Exchange Association students on the farm. Discusses soil, wind, rainfall and a typical year. Mentions soil fertility, use of lentils and getting bigger farm machinery. Talks about role of farm advisors. Explains process of changing farm to all cropping farm in 1968, selling stock to grow wheat, peas and ryegrass. Refers to getting bigger plough, tractor and grain silo, building a seed cleaning plant and shed. Explains direct heading wheat and peas with Roundup. Talks about soil testing, inputs of nitrogen, urea, sulphate of ammonia, always using fertilisers and chemicals. Says diesel prices forced direct drilling. Discusses wind erosion, putting in shelter belts subsidised by South Canterbury catchment board. Talks about wife's role on farm, all their sons going farming and Graeme Lill working at Lincoln College. Refers to moisture and soil testing. Reflects on mechanisation making farming easier. Talks about droving and now trucking sheep to sale yards. Mentions Lyndhurst Barrhill scheme pumping water from Rakaia River back to the RDR (Rangitata Diversion race). Refers to getting Dry Creek closed for grazing for nine years. Discusses community activites, nine years on South Canterbury Catchment Board, Mayfield A&P Association President in 1959, being on Monalto School committee, Hinds School committee, Hinds Rugby Football Club, Chairperson of Methven Lions, Chairman of Methven Aged Persons Welfare Association, Chairman of Methven House home committee, and involvment in Federated Farmers and United Wheatgrowers. Details his purchase of maternity hospital and turning it into Methven House aged persons home. Mentions being involved in St Davids Church, Allenton, Ashburton and Methodist Synod Timaru. Says retired to Methven for four to five years, then moved to Ashburton. Refers to son Colin Lill taking over the farm. Interviewer(s) - Nicola Robertson Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-016757 - OHC-016759 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Electronic document(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Physical Description: Textural files - Adobe PDF Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-6032, OHDL-001827. Search dates: 1921 - 2007

Date: 19 Mar 2008

From: Methven Heritage Project - RSA and Arable oral history project

By: Morrow, Samuel John, 1923-2013

Reference: OHInt-0920-14

Description: Interview with John Morrow, born in Ashburton in 1923. Outlines his family background and spending his childhood on Huntington farm near Ashburton. Recalls farm life, having his own vegetable garden, and early schooling at Tinwald. Talks about the family going to Northern Ireland after an uncle died so his father could take over the family farm. Refers to sailing on the 'Rangitata', going to school in Ballydougan, and stock, crops and activities on the farm. Comments on the Depression, entertainment, occasional trips to Belfast, and attending Lurgan College, a town school. Talks about their trip back to New Zealand via the Suez canal and his father's subsequent work as a bridge building foreman. Discusses holiday jobs he had on farms, and hearing about the outbreak of War during his last term at Ashburton High School. Mentions having a clerical job until his father let him join the Air Force. Outlines his training, selection for pilot training, and training in Tiger Moths. Discusses training in Alberta, Canada in twin engine planes and becoming a pilot officer. Talks about being sent to Britain where there was a surplus of pilots, eventually transferring to the Fleet Air Arm, training to fly fighters and being transferred to a Corsair squadron. Comments on being in the services for over four years but not flying any missions. Recalls returning home in 1946 and going farming. Discusses working on and managing farms, and getting a rehabilitation farm at Lowcliffe in 1950. Refers to working for Lands and Survey for wages for a time, living in a Public Works hut, and taking over a 33 year lease. Mentions two major floods of the Hinds River in his early years. Talks about his early farm machinery, running 500 ewes, and producing grass seed, wheat and linseed. Refers to having help from single (Lincoln College) men at harvest in the late 1950s, and beginning to buy more land in 1959. Describes changes in arable farming during his lifetime, including the transition from horses to tractors, and introducing direct drilling on some of his properties depending on the soil types. Describes developing irrigation for his farm from the mid 1970s, changes in weather conditions, and planting shelter belts. Refers to the Lauriston Farm Improvement Club, farm advisors, field days and farm conferences. Mentions soil testing to control fertilizer costs, and using Roundup to control weeds. Discusses his farm sheds and silos and transport of bulk grain. Talks about the rural downturn in the 1980s and drought, financial pressures and having to farm more cleverly. Comments on just having two employees through the 1990s and relying more on contractors. Describes his wife's contribution on the farm over the years. Outlines his community activities including with the Lowcliffe Hall Committee, Hinds Presbyterian Church, Federated Farmers and the South Canterbury Catchment Board. Talks about attending ANZAC Day services, and the discipline his involvement in the War gave him. Reflects on farming having become more challenging and interesting, dairy conversions, and the difficulties of over wintering dairy cows. Interviewer(s) - Nicola Robertson Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-016768 - OHC-016772 Quantity: 5 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 4.26 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Textual files - Adobe pdf Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-6035, OHDL-001830. Search dates: 1923 - 2008

Date: 1946 - 1950

From: New Zealand. School Publications Branch: [45 double-sided photographic posters, photographed by National Publicity Studios and other photographers. ca 1949]

By: Collins, Tudor Washington, 1898-1970; Browne, Victor Carlyle, 1900-1979

Reference: Eph-D-EDUCATION-1949-1-31/60

Description: Photographs are by National Publicity Studios, V C Browne, Tudor Collins. Includes posters numbered: 31. Wool. Preparing bales of wool for export (National Publicity Studios) 32. Port Chalmers. This is the main port of Otago. Notice the dry dock on the right (V C Browne) 33. Wool. "Dumped" wool being stored for export. "Dumped" bales have been tightly pressed to save shipping space (National Publicity Studios) 34. Making butter. The cream from the receiving vat at the bottom is pumped through a heater. It is then cooled quickly on the cooler behind the man. This heating and cooling is called "pasteurising" (National Publicity Studios) 35. Buying wool. At this auction sale in the Town Hall at Wellington, buyers from many countries are bidding for New Zealand wool (National Publicity Studios) 36. Raglan. This little port is a holiday place for Waikato people (V C Browne) 37. Making cheese. The milk arrives at the factory where it is weighed and a sample taken for testing (National Publicity Studios) 38. Wellington. The business centre of the capital city. Can you find the railway station? (V C Browne) 39. Making cheese. The milk pours into a receiving vat (National Publicity Studios) 40. Mangaweka. This country town is on the Main Trunk railway south of Taihape. Notice the main highway north, and the white-cliffed gorge of the Rangitikei River (V C Browne) 41. Making cheese. After being heated and cooled to kill germs, the milk is set with rennet. Then the curds are cut with knives into cubes (National Publicity Studios) 42. Nelson. Harvesting a crop on the Waimea plain near Nelson (National Publicity Studios) 43. Making cheese. After cooking, the whey is drained off and the curds are left in piles along the vat (National Publicity Studios) 44. A fishing port. Kaikoura, eans "crayfish food". It lies at the north side of the isthmus of the Kaikoura Peninsula (V C Browne) 45. Making cheese. After being cut into cubes, turned, and salted, the curd is poured into "hoops" lined with cheese cloth (National Publicity Studios) 46. Tolaga Bay. Notice the jetty at the top right. Few vessels call at this coastal port (V C Browne) 47. Making cheese. The "hoops" full of cheese have been in the pess al night (National Publicity Studios) 48. Tarakohe. This port has one factory and was built to ship one product - cement (V C Browne) 49. Making cheese. These cheeses are being weighed and crated ready for export (National Publicity Studios) 50. Sheep country. This photo shows what parts of North Auckland look like. It was taken on the Takatu Peninsula near Matakana (Tudor Collins) 51. New Plymouth Harbour. The breakwater protects ships at the wharf. Notice the oil derricks (V C Browne) 52. Auckland. This photo shows the main road and rail outlet to the south. What kind of trees grown close to the shore here? (V C Browne) 53. Making butter. After one night in a storage vat the cream goes to the churn. Here half a ton of butter is being removed from a churn (National Publicity Studios) 54. Lime Hills, Southland. What takes place in these buildings? Why are they built in steps? What do you call the workings on the hill top? (V C Browne) 55. Butter. Weighing and packing bulk butter for export (National Publicity Studios) 56. Timber. How can you tell which of these forests are native and which are exotic? This is part of Karioi State Forest (V C Browne) 57. Butter. Each box contains a 56 pound block of butter. What is happening to it here? (National Publicity Studios) 58. Irrigation. The Rangitata Diversion Race runs north along the Canterbury Plains (V C Browne) 59. Maori fortifications. Turu-turu Mokai Pa, near Hawera - the best preserved Maori fortifications in New Zealand (V C Browne) 60. Irrigation. The Highbank Power Station, at the end of the Rangitata Diversion Race, can be seen near the centre of the picture. Mt Hutt is in the background, the Rakaia River is in the foreground (V C Browne) Date estimated from the fact that some have been date-stamped 31 August 1950. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Offset photographic prints, 513 x 584 mm., on both sides of sheets

Date: 1946 - 1950

From: New Zealand. School Publications Branch: [45 double-sided photographic posters, photographed by National Publicity Studios and other photographers. ca 1949]

Reference: Eph-D-EDUCATION-1949-1-61/90

Description: Photographs are by National Publicity Studios, V C Browne, Ministry of Works. Includes posters numbered: 61. Fishing. Fishing is hard on nets, which constantly need mending. The ball in the net is a float (National Publicity Studios) 62. Roads. This road runs through the Waipu State Forest in the Urewera country between Rotorua and Lake Waikaremoana (National Publicity Studios) 63. Methven. This photo shows in the foreground a linen flax factory with stacks of linen flax (V C Browne) 64. The Canterbury Coast. The photo shows Banks Peninsula, the entrance to Lyttelton Harbour, the edge of the Canterbury Plains, and the Southern Alps in the distance (V C Browne) 65. Our coasts. The mouth of the Waiotahi River, Bay of Plenty (V C Browne) 66. Roads. This road was cut through pumicw country on the Central Plateu of the North Island (Ministry of Works) 67. Our coasts. The coast of Southern Hawkes Bay. Notice the cliff layers and the erosion scars (V C Browne) 68. Our coasts. This coast north of Karamea is as wild as when Captain Cook sailed past (V C Browne) 69. Our coasts. This photo shows the steamer "Futurist" on a reef near Cape Campbell (V C Browne) 70. Our coasts. This coast, north of Karamea, has been cleared for farming. Not a living tree can be seen. Is this wise? (V C Browne) 71. Our coasts. One of the lighthouse keepers whose work it is to keep our coasts safe for ships (National Publicity Studios) 72. Fishing. The trawler hauls in the net (National Publicity Studios) 73. Potatoes. A mechanical digger at work, Marshlands, Canterbury (National Publicity Studios) 74. Drilling for blasting. A small charge of special blasting powder is used to loosen the coal. The naked flame of the miner's light shows that there is no explosive gas in this mine (National Publicity Studios) 75. Potatoes. This is the old method of digging potatoes (National Publicity Studios) 76. Coal mining. A firer closes his eyes as he fires a shot (National Publicity Studios) 77. Harvesting potatoes. Marshlands, Canterbury (National Publicity Studios) 78. Coal mining. Hewing coal at the face (National Publicity Studios) 79. Pitting potatoes for winter storage. The potatoes are covered first with straw, then with a light layer of soil (National Publicity Studios) 80. Coal mining. A trucker brings a load of coal from the face (National Publicity Studios) 81. Irrigation. Chatto Creek Stairway, Central Otago. The steps prent the water from flowing too quickly (National Publicity Studios) 82. Coal mining. Lunchtime in the mine (National Publicity Studios) 83. Irrigation. Near Alexandra, Central Otago. The land on the far side of the road was once like the land in the foreground (National Publicity Studios) 84. Pit props. These men are putting up wooden props to prevent the walls and roof of the mine from falling in (National Publicity Studios) 85. Irrigation. The Rangitata Diversion Race near Geraldine. Mt Peel is under Snow (National Publicity Studios) 86. A coal mine. Denniston - the mine on top of a mountain (National Publicity Studios) 87. Silage. Stacking lucerne for silage in South Canterbury (National Publicity Studios) 88. A coal mine. An opencast mine at Stockton (National Publicity Studios) 89. Silage. Making silage in concrete its near Palmerston North (National Publicity Studios) 90. Central Otago. A gold-miner's cottage near Queenstown, now used by shearers and campers (National Publicity Studios) Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Offset photographic prints, 513 x 584 mm., on both sides of sheets

Date: February 22 - 25, 1959

From: Williams, Edmund Gardner, b 1894 :Transparency slides of a trip to New Zealand and Australia

Reference: PA12-8790

Description: Transparency slides of Mr E G Williams' (Edmund Gardner Williams') travel in New Zealand in 1959. This sheet of slides were taken earlier than those on some of the preceding sheets. (Information from his diary). The first image shows a typical mountain sheep station scene; the next seven images show aspects of the Winchmore Irrigation Research Station, including irrigation canals, a feeder canal, a "dam", treated and untreated fence posts, sheep in a grazing plot, and the inside of one of the laboratories. From there Williams travelled to Ashburton with views from the bus, coming into town; the Ashburton Domain showing the Florence Nightingale Memorial, a sequoia tree, cabbage trees, and large beds of zinnias. Further views from the bus were taken between Ashburton and Nelson. In the Nelson area there are views of the Nelson Cathedral, a huge pumpkin patch, tobacco growing and hop vines. Slides on this sheet are numbered 457 to 480, with one gap where no. 476 was removed for lectures on New Zealand. Arrangement: Mr Williams transferred slide (no. 476) showing the Early Settlers' Monument in Nelson, which he took as part of a representative collection on New Zealand for various lectures which he gave when he returned to England. The lecture series are filed in later sequences. Quantity: 23 colour original transparency/ies slides. Physical Description: Dye coupler slides, 35mm

Date: 10, 18 May 2007 - 10 May 2007 - 18 May 2007

From: Methven Heritage Project - RSA and Arable oral history project

By: McKay, Donald Ian, 1929-2008

Reference: OHInt-0920-12

Description: Interview with Don McKay, born in Methven in 1929. Outlines his family background - immigrant grandparents and parents with farming backgrounds. Recalls growing up on a farm, the family home burning down in 1935 and a new homestead being built. Talks about producing their own food, his mother making butter and soap, and cooling food down the well before they had a refrigerator. Refers to his schooling in Methven, and games including rugby, marbles and knucklebones. Refers to the change from using horses to tractors and more intensive cropping as a result. Comments on "having to do men's work" during the War. Talks about leaving school at 17 to work for his father on Three Springs Farm, learning to shear, and later buying his own farm. Refers to the Young Farmers Club, interclub debating competitions, and taking part in Junior National Party debating. Mentions playing rugby, stock judging, dog trials and pasture judging. Discusses developing the land he bought, usually having a single man to help, using fertilizers, and Department of Agriculture advisors. Comments on farm financing, interest rates and government subsidies. Refers to running Romney sheep and planting shelter belts. Mentions the 1945 snowfall, difficulties feeding stock and subsequent flooding. Talks about irrigating about 30 acres from 1963-64, irrigation procedures and the impact on productivity. Recalls early traction engines and tractors in Methven including electric tractors and his interest in vintage machinery. Talks about visits of the thrashing mill with a team of 11 men, learning to stack sheaves at an early age, and the difference the mill made to the harvest. Comments that the thrasher was superceded by header harvesters. Refers to organising a Vintage Machinery Rally in 1960 and a machinery parade for the Methven District centennial in 1979. Mentions his involvement with the Ashburton Steam and Model Engineering Society, the Plains Railway Association and the Methven Vintage Club. Interviewer(s) - Kathryn McKendry Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-016766 - OHC-016767 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 1.17 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Textual files - Adobe pdf Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-6034, OHDL-001829. Search dates: 1929 - 2007

Date: 2010

From: Nisbet, Alastair, 1958- :Digital cartoons

Reference: DCDL-0014863

Description: The cartoon shows Minister for the Environment Nick Smith wearing bullet belts over both shoulders, and telling a woman representing 'Hurunui' and who is behind bars, that he has great news, that he is going to wait for 15 months before hanging drawing and quartering her. Refers to the news that Irrigation NZ (INZ) has welcomed the moratorium placed on new major irrigation consents on Canterbury's Hurunui River yesterday, saying it was common sense where no proper water plan exists. Environment Canterbury commissioners requested the moratorium from Environment Minister Nick Smith and he approved it on new water takes from the river and its tributaries from Friday until October 1 next year. Dame Margaret Bazley said the Hurunui catchment did not meet criteria in the Environment Canterbury Act, it faced increasing demand, was nearing full allocation and in lower reaches suffered diminished water quality. (Information source NBR) Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Date: [between 1936 and ca 1940]

From: Making New Zealand :Negatives and prints from the Making New Zealand Centennial collection

Reference: MNZ-0549-1/4-F

Description: Grader working to shift earth during the construction of the Rangitata Diversion Race (introducing large-scale irrigation to the Canterbury district). Photograph taken between 1936 and circa 1940 by an unidentified photographer. Other - Not published in `Making New Zealand' Source of descriptive information - According to Ashburton Museum's web-site (http://www.ashburton.co.nz/museum/index.htm), work started on the Rangitata Diversion Race in 1936 Inscriptions: Recto - beneath image - Title beneath original item: Elevating Grader Quantity: 1 b&w copy negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative Provenance: Photograph from the Public Works Department for the Department of Internal Affairs' publication `Making New Zealand' (1939-40).

Date: 2014

From: Slane, Christopher, 1957-: Digital cartoons published in the Listener, New Zealand Herald, or New Zealand Farmers' Weekly

By: New Zealand farmers' weekly (Periodical)

Reference: DCDL-0028103

Description: Cartoon shows a politician standing in a Central Plains Water tent in the pouring rain, with a small number of people huddled under raincoats and umbrellas, looking on. The politician says, "I hereby declare this $410m farm irrigation scheme to bring water to Canterbury open'. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).