ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. XX111. 



the industries which are gradually growing about Botany 

 could, if found necessary in the future, be obtained from 

 the catchment of George's River and its southern tribu- 

 taries. This supply of second class water would take the 

 place of the high class water for industrial purposes. The 

 establishment of the water supply from the Upper Nepean 

 catchment assisted in giving another impetus to the growth 

 of the Metropolis, and Mr. Keele has clearly shown how 

 necessary it is that this catchment, together with some 

 minor neighbouring catchments, should be exploited for 

 water to its fullest extent, and that this work is extremely 

 urgent. I cannot too strongly emphasise the importance- 

 of immediate action in the matter of a comprehensive 

 investigation into the future requirements of the Metropolis,, 

 and the development of a scheme for making liberal pro- 

 vision for satisfying them. 



In view of the difficulties and expense attending the 

 supply of sufficient first class water to the Metropolitan 

 area, the question arises whether it would not be expedient 

 to consider the advisability of placing some limit on the ex- 

 pansion of the metropolis by encouraging decentralization.. 

 The water of the Wollondilly is not as pure as that from 

 the Upper Nepean, and in Mr. Keele's scheme filtration is 

 suggested. This raises the question, whether in the develop- 

 ment of a scheme for amplifying the water supply, cheap 

 water can be provided for industrial purposes and the first 

 class water conserved — the quantity of which is limited — 

 for domestic and similar requirements. This does not 

 necessarily mean a double set of reticulation pipes through- 

 out the Metropolis, but restricted only to the areas which 

 are devoted mainly to industries requiring a large amount 

 of cheap water — as in the Botany area previously, referred 

 to — and to areas which should be set apart for the location 

 of factories. 



