Irrigation and \yater Supply in Aust. Colonies. 27 



either immediately, or in the near future, and to make them 

 so, either a charge for water should be made according to the 

 quantity used, or the area irrigated, or else a charge on all 

 land under command which could obtain water if the 

 owners or occupiers wished to take it. Whether there 

 should be different rates for pasture and cultivated lands 

 need not just now be discussed. Investigations as to 

 rainfall and discharge of rivers, &c., should be systematically 

 and energetically proceeded with, bearing in mind, that the 

 longer the period during which such observations are made, 

 the more correct will be the results, and they should not 

 therefore be postponed, until any juirticular work is about 

 to be executed. The country should be examined by 

 thoroughly experienced irrigation engineers, who should 

 select sites which appear appropriate for the construction of 

 reservoirs, and which command land which is, or is likely to 

 come under cultivation. Some preliminary survey of tliese 

 sites would be desirable, though not essential, as, if 

 irrigation works are required in any particular district, and 

 funds a]-e available, it would be preferable that these should 

 be completely surveyed, and designs and estimates made, 

 and wlien time permits, or funds are available, preliminar}' 

 surveys of the rest can be curried out. If experienced men 

 and money are still available, detailed surveys should be 

 made, so that Government may have in their possession 

 complete irrigation schemes for every part of the Colony, 

 and they would be able to proceed at once whenever the 

 necessity arose in any particular district. 



Although irrigation only is mentioned in the above 

 remarks, they are intended to apply to the conservation of 

 water wherever required for other purposes, the only 

 modification being as to the command of land. The 

 questions of the distribution of water and construction of the 

 channels for the purpose, and the discussion of the manner 

 in which the revenue should be raised to make the works 

 reproductive, may be left for remark on a future occasion. 



