Government, not content with preventing the spread of the reh, 
400 H. G. McKINNEY. 
has been conducting experiments with a view to its extirpation. 
The river waters of this country, like those of India are highly 
suitable for purposes of irrigation, and all that is required in 
utilising them is to make certain that they are used only on 
suitable land. The waters from some of our artesian bores con- 
tain such proportions of salts that caution will be required in 
making use of them for irrigation. In some casesin India where 
the rainfall was insufficient to produce crops with any degree of 
certainty, while the only water available was more or less brackish, 
I have seen such water used to a limited extent for irrigation, the 
salt being in sufficient quantity to form a deposit in the small 
distributaries. This irrigation was adopted as the best of a choice 
of evils—possible privation on the one hand and probable injury 
to the land on the other. A similar choice of evils may have to 
be met sometimes in the western districts in this Colony. 
In conclusion, I may point out that in regard to irrigation we 
have only passed the period of experiment, and have yet to deal 
with it on a scale commensurate with our opportunities and 
requirements, this fact contains much ground for consolation and 
encouragement in such a time of depression as we are now passing 
through. The immense resources of this Colony, and particularly 
of its soil, are altogether undeveloped. The necessity for increased 
production is now apparent to all, and the means to that end are 
therefore certain to receive more attention. As one of the most 
potent aids to production, irrigation will command its share of 
consideration ; but while our settlers are held back by the curb 
of antiquated and unsuitable laws, they cannot be expected to 
show their capabilities to advantage. 
