CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS. XXIX, 
that the situation in Sydney would have been most serious, 
as the daily flow from the rivers up to the end of November, 
1888, was exceedingly small, and the Botany catchment 
had been almost depleted of its water. 
Tunnels reported to be collapsing.—The authorities, 
however, were given no rest, and public attention was 
again directed, by a section of the press, to the alleged 
unsafe condition of the works, and an alarm was raised 
that the tunnels were collapsing, and that Sydney’s supply 
was in danger of being cut off by the blocking up of the 
Nepean and Cataract Tunnels, through the roof falling in. 
It may be explained that during the construction of 
these tunnels, the contractors claimed that those portions 
where the rock appeared to be unsound, or where shale 
occurred in the crown, necessitating the use of timber 
supports, should be bricked; but Mr. Moriarty always 
strenuously opposed the application, being of opinion that 
aiter the loose rock was pulled away no support of any 
kind was required, and as a matter of fact, no bricking 
whatever wits done. The floor of the tunnels was concreted, 
and a line of rails embedded in it, so that any falls which 
might occur from time to time might be readily removed. 
Alleged Instability of Prospect Dam.—The alarm raised 
in 1888 was quite uncalled for, as an investigation showed 
that the quantity of rock which had fallen over the 6; miles 
of tunnel was insignificant, and only what had been antici- 
pated and provided for. Time has since proved the cor- 
rectness of Mr. Moriarty’s judgment. The detractors of 
the scheme were, however, not to be foiled, and they com- 
menced an agitation about the alleged instability of the 
dam at Prospect. What gave rise to the rumours was, 
that in April, 1888, a settlement at one portion of the bank 
had been noticed, which at first gave little uneasiness; but 
aS the subsidence increased beyond what was considered 
