Opening Address. 3 



Our affairs ai'e conducted on a very economical scale, and a little 

 improvement on our annual income — which could easily be 

 secured if our members would only make prompt payment of 

 their subscriptions — would remove our anxieties, and enable us to 

 continue printing the papers read before the society as hitherto. 



The following is a list of the papers read during 1870: — May 

 25. Opening address, by the Rev. W. B. Clarke, Vice-President. 

 June 15. " On Post Office Savings Banks, Friendly Societies, 

 and Government Life Assurance and Annuity Offices," by C. 

 Eolleston, Esq. July 6. " Remarks on the Report of the Water 

 Commission, with special reference to the George's River 

 scheme," by A. Garran, Esq., LL.D. September 19. " On the 

 Botany Watershed," by E. Bell, Esq., C.E. November 2. " Notes 

 on the Auriferous Slate and Granite Veins of New South Wales," 

 by H. A. Thompson, Esq., Mining Engineer. December 7. " On 

 the Occurrence of the Diamond near Mudgee," by Professor 

 Thomson and Norman Taylor, Esq. Two of the regular monthly 

 meetings were occupied by adjourned debates on the water ques- 

 tion, and four extra meetings were held on the same debates, 

 making altogether eight meetings devoted to the great question 

 of Water Supply of Sydney. This was indeed the chief business 

 of the year, and its popularity was indicated by the unusually 

 large, attendance of members and visitors on the nights of its 

 discussion. 



Dr. Gai-ran, in his paper noted above which introduced the 

 subject, objected to the Upper Nepean scheme recommended by 

 the Water Commission on the ground of cost and liability to 

 damage from the great length and variety of the works, also 

 because it made no provision for intercepting storm waters, and 

 because, although an embankment eighty feet high was required 

 for the reservoir, only twenty-five feet of water would be avail- 

 able. He advocated the George's River scheme on the ground of 

 nearness to Sydney, and consequent simplicity and economy of 

 works ; also, because a more capacious reservoir would be 

 obtained, which would intercept storm waters when necessary. 

 He maintained that an efficient dam could be constructed of 

 loose materials, and at moderate cost, and that the salt water of 

 the estuary would soon be replaced by fresh. Other members 



