154 TANKS AND WELLS OF NEW SOUTH WALES, 
but it isa matter for congratulation that money has been voted 
ns d, for testing the great west 
and north-west country for a deeper seated and hoped for artesian 
will be offered to settlement, or to assess the increased value of 
that portion of our territory. 
rainfal 
that purpose after every allowance that can be made for evapora- 
tion and vegetation. For 1880 we have the means of testing this 
question by observations more complete than any which have 
previously been taken over the best part of the watershed of the 
Darling, that is the western slopes of the Main Range, where, from 
the abundance of rivers and creeks, it is obvious that the rain 
water readily runs off the soil. There are forty-five rain stations, 
2 
