PROBLEMS OF THE ARTESIAN WATER SUPPLY OF AUSTRALIA. 103 



at the surface. No one has succeeded in disproving the 

 existence of any of these conditions, and it may be stated 

 that the only material detail in which the Australian differs 

 from any other well known basin is in regard to its much 

 greater dimensions. There has therefore been no hesita- 

 tion in ascribing the ascent of the underground water in 

 the Australian basin to hydrostatic, or more properly, 

 hydraulic pressure. 



Recently however, this conclusion has been severely 

 criticised by Dr. J. W. Gregory, f.r.s., formerly Professor 

 of Geology in the University of Melbourne, but now of the 

 University of Glasgow. In consequence of his great repu- 

 tation as a geologist and the distinguished position which 

 he occupies, Professor Gregory's opinions are entitled to 

 respect and consideration; nevertheless there is evidence 

 that his views in regard to this matter are not based upon 

 personal investigation. It is understood that the only part 

 of the Australian Artesian water-bearing area examined 

 by him was the desert country in the vicinity of Lake Eyre, 

 in South Australia, and that he has never visited Queens- 

 land or that portion of New South Wales where the porous 

 intake beds are visible at the surface. It follows there- 

 fore that he is not in a position to speak with authority 

 upon the geology of this interesting problem, and as many 

 of his statements appear to be in opposition to observed 

 facts they can not be allowed to pass unchallenged. 



Professor Gregory's first criticism of the views of Aus- 

 tralian geologists was given in a lecture at Bendigo, 

 (Victoria), in 1901. * He asserted that in the case of the 

 Australian Artesian basin the hydrostatic head must be 

 lost, owing to friction, long before the bores are reached: 

 he contended that the real cause of the ascent of the water 



1 "Variation of ores in depth — the controlling factors/' Australian 

 Mining Standard, December 12th and 26th, 1901. 



