228 



T. W. KEELE. 



Thereafter a saving would be effected, which would an- 

 nually increase until 1942-3, when it will be seen that rcy 

 proposal would pay for itself, inasmuch as the total savings 

 would then have amounted to £419,385. 



The saving would continue to increase until in 1946-7, 

 the total clear profit would amount to £490,560. There- 

 after, the profit would continue to increase at the rate of 

 £125,560 per annum, resulting from the elimination of the 

 costs shown in Columns "E," "M" and "N," equalling 

 £835 per day. 



I think it will be admitted that if these figures are correct, 

 a good case has been made out in favour of very careful 

 consideration being given to my proposal. The figures de- 

 pend, of course, upon the question of the reliability of my 

 estimates. 



I may say that I have given the whole matter very close 

 study, and my assurance may be accepted that a perfectly 

 honest attempt has been made to arrive at the truth. The 

 costs of the existing system are based on the figures given 

 in the annual reports of the Water Board. Those relating 

 to the construction of the various dams are based on the 

 costs of works already constructed and of the Cordeaux 

 Dam, as given in the Public Works Committee's reports, 

 making a fair allowance for increased costs of labour and 

 materials, and also for land resumptions, etc. The works 

 I propose are all connected with tunnelling and as some of 

 you may be aware, the whole of the alignment and con- 

 struction of the tunnels on the existing system of the Sydney 

 Water Supply were carried out by me, personally, or under 

 my direction during 1880 to 1885 amounting to twelve 

 miles in length, the longest being four and a half miles 

 through the Hawkesbury Sandstone; it will, therefore, be 

 perhaps admitted that I have had considerable experience 

 in that class of work which is similar in every way to that 



