HISTORY OP CIVIL ENGINEERING IN NEW SOUTH WALES. G33 



supply purposes may be known for all readings of the gauges. 

 This information is particularly necessary in the cases of the 

 Murrumbidgee, tlie Darling, and the Murray. 3. That the subject 

 of legislation on the lines suggested in tlieir first report should 

 receive early consideration. 



The following special works were recommended : — 1. That, as 

 projects for the construction of irrigation canals from the Murray 

 ami Murrumbidgee have been submitted to us in a definite form 

 by our engineer, and as information supplied with these projects 

 has been carefully worked out, and is of a most favourable nature, 

 the necessary funds for the required surveys should be sanctioneil 

 as estimated, and the surveys started forthwith. 2. That a sum 

 of £5000 should be sanctioned for a more complete examination 

 of the Lachlan, INIacquarie, and Darling Rivers ; and of Lake 

 George, Lake Batliurst, and Lake Oudjellico. 3. That as great 

 bodies of water from time to time flow down the Paroo, Bidloo, 

 and Warrego, and run to waste in Poljigonnvi swamps, and down 

 fissures in tlie ground, a survey should be undertaken to ascertain 

 whether it would be possible by the conservation or diversion of 

 these waters to turn them to greater national advantage. 



WATER SUPPLY FOR STOCK ROUTES. 



The first works in connection with the water supply of stock 

 routes were commenced in 1869, when a sum of £5000 was voted 

 by Parliament for works on the Booligal and Wilcannia road, and 

 handed over to the Roads Department for expenditure. In 1882 

 a sum of £50,000 was granted for tanks and wells, and arrange- 

 ments were made for its expenditure on the different stock routes 

 recommended by the Mines Department. By this time consider- 

 able experience had been gained as to the most suitable works for 

 the purjDOse, and type drawings and specifications were prepared 

 by Mr. A. P. Wood, under whose immediate supervision the 

 works have been carried out. The works by which the stock 

 routes have been supplied, or partially supplied, with water, may 

 be divided into the following classes : — 1. Wells ; 2. Tanks ; 3. 

 Dams. 



In the works constructed by the Government for reaching} 

 lifting, storing, and distributing underground waters, the shafts 

 are slabbed right through, and divided into two compartments, 

 each two feet six inches square, by a brattice extending from the 

 top to the bottom of the sliaft. The lifting appliances consist of 

 a whim and gearing, working two self-acting buckets, which 

 discharge into a timber-framed, iron-lined service tank communi- 

 cating with tlie troughing for watering the stock. In carrying 

 out these works great care has to be taken to have the slabbing 

 thoroughly fitted, and clay well puddled into all the spaces at the 

 back of the same. The shaft must be carried down truly and have 



