PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION J. 729 
and a general rate is merely a call made by the directors (who 
are, in this case, termed commissioners) to meet certain liabilities. 
The profits are obtained in the increased value of all property in 
the district. 
ea 
*“3. The points that the Trusts need to bear in mind to enable 
them to meet their liabilities, or, at least to put them in the best 
position to do so, are— 
(a) All the landowners should be prepared either to take 
the water, or to dispose of their share to those who may 
wish to take it. 
(6) Water should be taken by the landowners in turn as 
arranged by the Trust. All should take their chance 
of any deficiency occurring on the dates fixed for them. 
(c) Payment should be made for the water for the season, 
whether used or not. ; 
(Zz) In any case of special hardship, owing to a short supply, 
the Trust might remit the whole or part of the water- 
rates, but not the general rate to meet charges for 
interest. 
4. For adoption by the Trusts, the following suggestions are 
made with a view of obtaining the best results :— 
(az) Alloutlets to be designed to deliver, as nearly as possible, 
the same quantity of water in a given time. 
(4) The whole district to be subdivided into areas of a 
convenient size, say for instance 80 acres, each to have 
its own outlet. The large selections would then have 
several outlets, while two or three of the small selec- 
tions could have one outlet between them. 
(c) Lists should be prepared at the commencement of a 
season showing the dates on which each outlet could 
be opened. 
(2) Each outlet to be kept open (if required) for a certain 
time only, say 24 hours, on the dates mentioned in the 
list, and at all other times to remain closed. 
5. The Victorian Irrigation Trusts were started on a system 
that was_likely to lead to the best results. The Trusts seem, 
however, to have failed to realise the magnitude of the task that 
lay before them, and finding themselves in difficulties are now 
asking for concessions from the Government, which, if granted 
unconditionally, will not assist in improving matters. They are 
more likely to induce greater laxity, and render further conces- 
sions necessary at no distant period. Before concessions are 
thought of in the case of any Trust, a special enquiry might well 
be instituted with a view of ascertaining the causes of the Trust’s 
inability to carry out its engagements. 
