155 



Notes on the occurrence, of Artesian Wells in the Albert 

 District, New South Wales. 



By C. S. Wilkinson, L.S., F.G.S. 



As the occurrence of Artesian wells on the Messrs. Officer's 

 Killarah Eun, near the Darling River, may not be generally 

 known to the members of this Society, I desire to lay before them 

 a few particulars regarding it. 



In putting down some tube-bores at the so-called "Mud 

 Springs" of Wee Wattah and Mulyeo, at Killarah, Mr. David 

 Brown, manager for the Messrs. Officer Bros., struck a strong 

 flow of water, which, at the Wee Wattah spring rose in the bore 

 and flowed from the tube at a height of twenty-six feet above 

 the surface of the ground. Some months ago Mr. Brown 

 personally informed me of his important discovery ; and more 

 recently Mr. H. A. Gilliat, Government Inspector of Tanks, who 

 has seen the wells, has also given me a description of them which 

 I will relate to you in his own words. 



"The Wee Wattah Well is in a large flat about eighteen 

 miles back from the Eiver Darling. Mr. Brown had five bores 

 put down, varying from 134 to 142 feet, from all of which water 

 was obtained. But from the last bore water is now running Mr. 

 Brown estimates, at the rate of nine gallons per minute, with a 

 temperature at the surface, of 82° Fahr. All the others were 

 choked by the fine drift coming up the pipe ; some iron pyrites, 

 and a few water worn pebbles were found amongst the drift. 

 The bore passes through clay and clay mixed with drift until the 

 water was struck at 110 feet. 



" The water has flowed over pipes screwed on at a height of 

 twenty-six feet above the surface, and without perceptible 

 diminution of the supply to ten feet above the surface. 



" From one of the bores water flowed for some time at the rate 

 of fifty gallons per minute, but it soon became choked with the 

 drift. Four inch pipes are used in the bores. 



