WATER CONSERVATION, IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE IN N.S.W. 229 



obtainable was made use of. The result of that inspection was the 

 conclusion that the best place for diverting a supply of water for 

 irrigation and other purposes, throughout the plains between the 

 Murray and Edward Rivers on the south, and the Billabong Creek 

 on the north, is at Bungowannah, about six miles down stream 

 from Albury. The second important conclusion arrived at was 

 that great benefit would be conferred by increasing the flow in 

 Tuppal Creek and the Edward River, and that this was quite 

 practicable. Events have moved slowly in regard to these ques- 

 tions, but. after the lapse of several years, sanction was obtained 

 to carry out the necessary surveys. These entirely corroborated 

 the conclusions arrived at. In 1896 the whole question of Water 

 Conservation and Irrigation in New South Wales was referred to 

 Colonel Home, r.e., c.s.i., and in October, 1897, or twelve and 

 a half years after the first report on the Murray River, he stated 

 his concurrence in the opinion that the site of the proposed off- 

 take at Bungowannah is the best, if not the only suitable site for 

 diverting water through the plains extending along the north side 

 of the Murray and Edward Rivers. Colonel Home further stated 

 his opinion that the question of constructing a canal from the 

 Murray below Tocumwal — that is at about the point of natural 

 outflow to Tuppal Creek — was one well worthy of further 

 consideration. 



The river Murray canal project. — The maximum quantity of 

 water which the writer proposed to divert from the river Murray 

 at Bungowannah was 1,500 cusecs, but Colonel Home considered 

 that it would be more prudent to limit the maximum to 1,300 

 cusecs. As regards the general design and scope of the scheme, 

 no modification was recommended. There is, in fact, only one 

 course which can be adopted without causing a heavy additional 

 outlay, so far as the first twenty miles at least, of the main canal 

 are concerned. It must follow the margin of the low ground till 

 it reaches Howlong, and from there it must follow the depression 

 known as Twelve Mile Creek till the depth of excavation becomes 

 moderate. Even by adopting this line, it is impossible to avoid 



