12 Reclamation of Batman's Swamp. 



At the present time, a considerable number of the inhabi- 

 tants of the city go down the river to fish, but owing to the 

 almost impassable state of the small creeks in the scrub, their 

 sport is curtailed, and their pursuit rendered a questionable 

 pleasure. 



To make this embankment, main drain, canal, and raised 

 footpath, would only require about £5000, or even less in the 

 present state of the labor market, or about £5 per acre for 

 the reclamation of above 1000 acres. 



This expense would have been considerably increased were 

 it not for the possibility of another plan of a road being con- 

 structed to Footscray, as a continuation of Victoria and 

 Spencer streets to that rapidly-increasing township, and 

 which I had the honor to suggest to a committee of its inha- 

 bitants. 



The construction of this road would enable another canal 

 to be cut direct between the Salt Water River and the Moonee 

 Ponds Creek. 



As a sum of money will, in all probability, be placed upon 

 the Estimates of 1859 for the construction of this road, it 

 will not be necessary to advert to it more, than by saying that 

 it will protect the swamp on the north from any inundation 

 caused by the rise of the water in the Salt Water River, and 

 that it will shorten the road between Footscray, Geelong, and 

 Melbourne by 3^ miles. 



The plan I produce shows the proposed road and the rela- 

 tive position of the places to be benefited thereby. 



Having adverted to the method of construction and cost of 

 embankment, I will now proceed to describe the means to be 

 used in keeping the swamp free from surface water, and the 

 cost of doing so. 



In the ordinary state of the river, the arterial drains, or 

 small canals shown on the plan, will have a sufficient fall or 

 inclination to keep the marsh sufficiently dry for cultivation. 

 As before described, the side canal from which the embank- 

 ment is formed, is proposed to be cut to a depth of five feet, 

 that is, an average of three feet beneath the layer of sand 

 before mentioned; this sand, underlying the alluvial soil, 

 will allow the water to percolate through the same, and drain 

 off into the main channel. 



This will answer during the dry season, but during the 

 rainy season, or a prevalence of southerly gales, the level of 

 the river would rise so much as to pond the water back upon 

 the surface of the marsh. 



