PRESIDENTIAL ADDEESS. 401 



In 1854, to meet the requirements of a rapidly-increasing 

 population, it was again found necessary to further increase the 

 storage capacity of the Eeservoirs at Whittle Dene, and in 1857 

 the surface area of the water was increased to 125 acres, with a 

 storage of 525 million gallons. The extent of the drainage area 

 into the "Whittle Dene Eeservoirs was 4,340 acres. 



Between 1857 and 1860 an aqueduct was formed between 

 "Whittle Dene and the Hallington district, where a very exten- 

 sive watershed existed. This was done by forming an open 

 watercourse from the Eesevvoirs at "Whittle Dene as far as the 

 river Pont, and utilizing the Pont as far as Matfen, where a 

 subterraneous passage was made through tbe Byal Banks into 

 the valley beyond, and continued as far as Small Barn, Halling- 

 ton East Burn, and North Burn, the site of the present Hall- 

 ington Eeservoirs. The additional drainage area brought into 

 "Whittle Dene by this aqueduct was 12,760 acres, making a 

 total drainage area of 17,500 acres. 



In 1863 the consumption of water had increased to 4£ million 

 gallons per day, and in 1868 to 6 million gallons per day. 



In 1868 an Act of Parliament was obtained for constructing 

 the East Hallington Eeservoir, which was completed in 1872. 



The East Hallington Eeservoir has a surface area of water 

 equal to 131 acres, and contains when full 686 million gallons. 



In 1877 an Act of Parliament was obtained to construct the 

 Colt Crag, Little Swinburn, and "West Hallington Eeservoirs. 

 These works were commenced in 1878, and in 1881 the Little 

 Swinburn with the covered aqueduct, connecting the Little 

 Swinburn with the Hallington Eeservoir, was completed, and 

 the water diverted into the latter Eeservoir. 



The Little Swinburn Eeservoir has a water area of 15 acres, 

 and contains 34 million gallons. 



The Colt Crag Eeservoir when full has a water area of 206 

 acres, and contains 1,070 million gallons. 



The "West Hallington Eeservoir contains 722 million gallons. 



In 1889 the total daily consumption is about 12 million 

 gallons per day, and the population of Newcastle and Gateshead 

 and district supplied by Company about 340,000. 



