246 H. G. McKINNEY. 



much too young for the construction of large works for water 

 conservation and irrigation. It is probable that a large number 

 of people in Victoria and South Australia will not be displeased 

 if this opinion is adhered to and acted on during the next fifteen 

 years. Some very useful works have, however, been constructed 

 in New South Wales for the distribution of water for stock and 

 domestic purposes in the Central and Western Divisions of the 

 State. The Willandra and Middle Billabong Weirs for instance, 

 diverted surplus water from the river Lachlan during the past 

 season, through a length of fully a thousand miles of creek. The 

 improvements to Yanko Creek have also produced most useful 

 results, and several other successful works of a similar character 

 have been constructed. The outlay on these works has been com - 

 paratively small, and the works whilst properly managed will not 

 affect any public or private rights prejudicially. 



As regards water rights in New South Wales, the great feature 

 of the last four years has been the successful start made with the 

 administration of the Water Rights Act. Before that Act came 

 into operation, every dam and pumping engine on every river or 

 creek throughout the State, existed or was used on sufferance only; 

 surely a strange state of affairs in a country depending so much 

 on the conservation of water. Since that Act came into operation 

 the number of applications for licenses has been over 700. The 

 great majority of the works thus sought to be licensed were dams, 

 but about an eighth of the number were pumps, which as a rule 

 were centrifugal pumps of large lifting capacity for irrigation 

 purposes. When the Act came into operation the popular opinion 

 was that dams necessarily caused more or less injury to land- 

 holders below them, and opposition to the granting of licenses 

 was frequent. But in the course of time more enlightened views 

 began to be held, and it was gradually recognised that the con- 

 ditions approved by the Public Works Department were equitable, 

 and the result was that latterly applications have rarely been 

 opposed. 



