622 Agricultural Gazette of X.^jr\ [Aug. 3, 1908. 



" This form of watpr-iiiotor is specially adapted to utilise the pressure 

 power from artesian Inires. because the power can be applied dlrcci from the 

 bore itself, whereas falling water has in most cases to be led from its head 

 source to the wheel, a considerable loss of power accruing jnnii frictional 

 resistance inside the piping. 



" Taking New South Wales and Queensland comijined. there are as stated, 

 81)7 bores now running in these two States. Twenty-eight of them — officially 

 measured — give an average pressure of S2 lb. per square inch (ecjual to 

 I'JO-feet head), at which rate the bores now running would give, in pressure 

 applied to a •) feet Pelton wheel, '51), 468 horse-power. That power is now 

 mostly unused, unheeded. I'unning to waste, but it appeals, as does the artesian 

 water itself, with Nature's mute ehxjuence. for perfect utilisation. 



" The power derivable from artesian flows in Australia is both ul)i(piitous 

 and unique. It is cropping up in out-of-the way places where steam power 

 is not 2;)ayable, and ordinary falling-water power is out of the question. The 

 power is direct, and one of the most economical conceivable. To meet the 

 numberless mechanical operations of the station or farm, and for electric 

 lighting — a small dynamo and wheel combined being procurable — it is most 

 desirable. The power being free from working expenses in its production, 

 and the cost being extremely moderate, should ensure its extensive use in 

 the future." 



Sir William Owen, in bis report on the administration of the Lands 

 Department, says : — 



"Tlie artesian basin in this State is estimated to cover 83,000 square miles, 

 and to extend over almost the whole of the north of the State, extending 

 south as far as Dubbo. To the westward it covers a large part of South 

 Australia, and to the north it runs through a great extent of Queensland up 

 to Cape York. This enormous supply of water ought to, and will; I have no 

 doubt, be in time availal^le, not only for watei'ing the Hocks and herds, but 

 also for supplying fodder, for agriculture and fruits ; but as yet we have done 

 very little to make it really effective for any purpose except the first. 



"At Riverside, in the San riciiiaidiuo Valley, in California, many of the 

 wells are within 1.^) feet of each other, and have been Jloioiiuj for sixteen years. 

 In this State, T believe, none are nearei- than about •") miles, and v('r\- few so 

 close. 



"In the San Louis Valley alone, containing an ai-(;a of about i^,000 stpiare 

 miles, there are 3,700 artesian wells. In this State, where the artesian basin 

 comprises 83,000 s(pi;irc miles, there are only about 372. 



" In this State httle has been done beyond sinking the bores and letting 

 the water run to waste, except to provide sheep and cattle with water to 

 clrink. 



" Mr. Boultbee has made a full and most interesting report on artesian 

 boring and irrigation in America, which was laid upon the table of the House 

 by the Honorable E. W. O'Sullivan, on the 2.jth November, L)02. This 

 report contains a detailed account of the great and successful efforts which 



