LXXXII. T. ROOKE. 
The preceding figures cover the minimum flow, and the 
longest period of minimum flow and continuous drought in 
the history of Australia. Although there may be a recur- 
rence of such years, a study of the meteorological records 
of Australia leads one to the conclusion that there will be a 
return of good seasons, and consequently much higher river 
discharges than have occurred during the period of this 
investigation. 
A large amount of official data has been placed at my 
disposal in connection with the preparation of this paper, 
and I have to thank Mr. Wade, Chief Engineer for Water 
Supply, for his courtesy in permitting the data to be used. 
To Mr. French of the Water Supply Department, I am 
indebted for assistance in the calculations. 
IRRIGATION WORK in CALIFORNIA, anp ITs 
RELATION To THE TRANSMISSION oF 
ELECTRICITY. 
By rT. ROOKE, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E. 
[Read before the Engineering Section of the Royal Society of N. 8. Wales, 
17th October, 1996. ] 
THE subject on which I have the honour to address you 
to-night is perhaps one on which, an engineer, whose 
work is principally connected with electricity, might not 
be expected to speak; a short explanation is, therefore, 
necessary. Nearly four years ago when travelling through 
California on my way to Australia, particular attention 
was paid to long distance electric transmission work, and 
it was observed that electricity was being used to pump 
water for irrigation purposes. On reaching Australia it 
