Cc. DISCUSSION. 
extended, was as much the cause of shortage to the city 
proper as shortage in rainfall. This was, however, a bless- 
ing in disguise, as it lead up to the appointment of the 
commission referred to by the Chairman, which culminated 
in the present supply known as the Prospect supply. 
The Chairman has referred to the Kenny Hill agitation 
for a high pressure supply as against the proposed scheme 
to gravitate the water to a large impounding reservoir at 
Prospect, thence by gravitation to Crown Street, from 
whence it was to be pumped to the higher zones. I need 
not refer to the controversy which took place at the time, 
as avery warm newspaper warfare was waged, and it was 
only through the statesmanlike attitude of the then Premier, 
Sir Henry Parkes, that the scheme was passed by the 
Legislature and assumed practical form. I havea distinct 
recollection of discussing the merits of the two schemes 
With my late respected chief W. C. Bennett, . inst. on, 
during a visit of inspection to the main drainage works, 
when he informed me that grounds for adopting the Nepean 
Prospect supply was a question of quantity v. pressure. I 
think it will be conceded that judging by the experience of 
the past, the foresight of Mr. Moriarty and his colleagues 
has been amply justified. 
I might here refer to the old city supply again. The 
pumps at Botany, installed about 1857, had a full capacity 
of 5 millions per diem, the reticulated area was restricted 
to a low level zone served from Crown Street reservoir, 
and what was then termed, the high level zone served from 
Paddington reservoir. The fittings were the usual type of 
the period, viz., instead of the more modern ball hydrant, 
they consisted of wooden plugs, which had to be withdrawn 
very carefully by the turncock, if he did not want to have 
a shower bath; very often passing pedestrians participated 
in the douche. A description of the engines installed at 
