XCVIII. DISCUSSION. 
Statistician’s figures—1900-1, increase 9,000 
1901-2, “3 19,500 
190253. uw ae 4,200 
1903-45. 6,600 
1904-5, ,, 5,300 
1905-6, _,, 23,500 
1906-7, : 20,300 
He would like the disparity explained. In referring to the 
work of the Royal Commission of 1902 he would like to say 
that he was prepared to admit now that the best thing had 
been done in building the dam to impound the larger 
quantity of water. 
Mr. T. H. HOUGHTON was of opinion that some consider- 
ation should be given to the riparian rights of the people 
on the lower rivers. The drainage from the upper portions 
of the rivers should not be taken away wholly in the manner 
it had been done in the past, and was now proposed from 
the heads of the Woronora and O’Hare’s Creeks. Assum- 
ing the population of Sydney at 14 millions in 30 years’ 
time, and allowing 60 gallons per head, it would be neces- 
sary to store 6 inches of the whole catchment or 15% of the 
total rainfall, this would leave no flow for the lower rivers. 
He considered a large city like Sydney should look to 
sources further afield than the proposal. The future source 
of supply in his opinion should be from the other side of the 
Nepean, such as the Grose, Warragamba, or Colo Rivers, 
rather than from small extensions of the present catchment. 
area. 
Dr. STOKES dealt with the estimate of water likely to be 
required. A low estimate should not be taken. He agreed 
with Mr. Cardew that 60 gallons should not be considered 
the limit of supply. We would certainly be using large 
quantities of water in the near future. 
Mr. J. M. SMAIL said he was pleased that the retiring 
address of our late Chairman has taken the form of an 
