THE STATE OF THE MELBOURNE WATER SUPPLY. LxXxxI, 
“The Cabinet recognising that the water of the Acheron is 
part of the Goulburn system and is required for the development 
of agriculture in the northern areas where the supply of water is 
already inadequate, is extremely reluctant to even temporarily 
divert any flow that will affect those localities, and the more so as 
assured and ample water supply for the metropolis can be obtained 
from other sources. In view, however, of the Board’s contention 
that danger of the most serious character to the inhabitants of the 
metropolis, may arise, unless the Board has during the next three 
years the opportunity of supplementing its water supply by a 
diversion from the river, the Cabinet is prepared to grant the 
concession on the following general conditions, which if approved 
by the Board will be later incorporated in an agreement : 
(a) That the Board guarantee to the satisfaction of the Minister 
of Water Supply, that it will proceed with and complete within 
three years from the date of the signing of the agreement, an 
adequate scheme for the improvement of the water supply of the 
metropolis from the O’Shanassy River, or some other source than 
a tributary of the Goulburn. 
“(6) That the works necessary for the temporary diversion be 
designed and constructed to the satisfaction of the State Rivers 
and Water Supply Commission which may itself either carry out 
the whole or part of the works, or may require the Board to do so. 
The Board in either case is to pay the total cost of the works, 
and also all the subsequent cost of maintenance and management. 
“(c) That while the various districts dependent on the Goulburn 
system of water supply have received the quantities of water at 
present, or that may from time to time be allotted to them, the 
commission may apportion, divert, and supply to the Board from 
the available remainder, such quantities as the Commission may 
decide. 
‘“(d) That the Board pay to the Commission for the water so 
diverted by the consent of the Commission at the rate of ld per 
1,000 gallons, such payments to be made every three months.” 
