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Official opening of the Kimberley Water Race Scheme

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NameOfficial opening of the Kimberley Water Race SchemeDescriptionThe official opening of Malvern County Council's Kimberley water-race scheme was marked by the staff turning the large wheels that raised the stopgates at the Waimakariri Gorge bridge, causing the water to rush into a tunnel under the approaches to the bridge, and then on into the water race. Prior to this, 16 speeches were given by local dignitaries and the ceremonial ribbon was cut by the wife of Mr M. E. Jenkins, County Engineer. The Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Gillespie, formally opened the water race.

Such was the importance of the scheme, hundreds of residents turned out for the occasion, schools closed for half a day, and the council asked for it to be a "picnic afternoon." Refreshments were provided in a marquee on the river terrace, and there was free icecream for the children.

The crowd enjoyed a re-enactment of the former punt ferry across the river, by people dressed in costumes of early settlers, including swagmen, who rocked the ferry to the amusement of the crowd: a jet boat was on stand-by in case of an accident. The NZRAF sent a plane to fly past and salute the event.

Here is the newspaper account of the plans for the event:
Mr. M. E. Jenkins, the county chairman and the deputy chairman, Mr J. H. Jebson, will welcome the official party and visitors on behalf of the Malvern County Council and Mr H. G. Royds will speak on behalf of the consulting engineers.

Representatives of the neighbouring counties and the Canterbury Progress League will also speak and the scheme will then be formally declared open by the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Gillespie), Mrs M. E. Jenkins will then cut the ribbon and a member of the council staff will raise the stopgates and let the water flow through the tunnel under the bridge approach, into the raceway and settling ponds.
In the evening a function will be held in the Darfield Memorial Hall which will include a symposium of past events in the district.

Mr James Deans of Homebush, and Mr C. H. Adams of Greendale, both former county chairmen, will review the 50 years of county affairs and Mr D. MacMillan, of Christchurch, an authority on the early history will delve into the previous era.Date9 March 1961

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Official opening of the Kimberley Water Race Scheme

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CollectionCommunity EventsPlaceWaimakaririImagePassengers in costume on a raft in the Waimakariri Last edited by: Sarah Davy

Crowd at the intake mouth of the Kimberley Water Race Last edited by: Sarah Davy

More Information10 March 1961 Newspaper report of the opening of the Water Race Scheme Last edited by: Sarah Davy

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Official opening of the Kimberley Water Race Scheme