ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. XXI. 



security from interference, the absolute purity of the water 

 and the pressure enabling fire-fighting to be carried on 

 under the best conditions through the Metropolitan area, 

 might be found to be well worth the additional cost. 



Mr. E. Statham, m. inst. cb., considered the time was 

 opportune for bringing forward this question of water 

 supply. He mentioned that over fifty years ago, Mr. W. O. 

 Bennett, then Engineer for Roads and Bridges, had formed 

 the opinion that the Cataract and Oordeaux watersheds 

 was the best source for a gravitation supply for Sydney. 

 He considered the present canal insufficient to keep the 

 Prospect reservoir full. He favoured some use being made 

 of the head waters of George's River, which was as worthy 

 of consideration as the Oordeaux. A dam of moderate 

 height would be sufficient to head up George's River to 

 canal level, and it could be connected either by a cutting 

 or a short length of tunnel, adding .an appreciable amount 

 of storage either for Prospect or the scheme proposed by 

 Mr. Keele. 



Mr. J. M. Smail, m. inst. am, remarked that in connection 

 with water supply, Sydney had suffered from want of 

 storage and want of money, and he considered that Mr. 

 Keele had done a public duty in drawing attention, especi- 

 ally to the want of storage. 



Mr. W. Poole, b.e., Assoc, m. inst. ce„ said that it seemed to 

 be assumed that the cross section of the proposed tunnel 

 will be circular; as a matter of construction it would be 

 much easier to make it rectangular with a supporting arch 

 if necessary. The excavation would be easier carried out, 

 both for the blasting and removal. The floor would prob- 

 ably not require any further protection, and the walls would 

 probably need no more concrete than would be necessary 

 to form a smooth surface for the run of the water. With 

 respect to the question as to whether the rock would take 



