250 H. G. McKINNEY. 



of the country, whereas with the water supply mentioned, sufficient 

 stock could be always available to take advantage of good seasons 

 when they come. There is always a deterioration in stock during 

 seasons of drought that could be avoided if the higher method of 

 stock farming were adopted by growing food as proposed. . . . 

 The estimate of fifty sheep to the acre fed on sorghum for the 

 summer four months is only about half the stock carried per acre 

 on a small paddock on North Yanko last year. 



"The average cost of growing sorghum would be about £1 per 

 acre per annum, and of growing lucerne considerably less, as the 

 sowing of the latter would only be required once in five years, 

 while sorghum would require to be sown annually. 



" The amount of labour required to cultivate and water the 

 areas referred to would bring unprecedented prosperity to the 

 towns in the districts benefited by this scheme, as well as to the 

 whole community. I know of no soil better suited for the growth 

 of sorghum than the immense polygonum areas below Hay. If 

 supplied by gravitation, with say 18 inches of water annually, it 



would increase its value tenfold The interest on the 



cost of the Southern Murrumbidgee Canal at say £600,000 at 4% 

 would amount to £24,000 annually, arid I would undertake to 

 pay £2,000 a year for a right to one-fifteenth part of the flow." 



The foregoing statement coming from such an authority speaks 

 for itself, and requires no comment. 



The information given in connection with the proposed Mur- 

 rumbidgee Southern Canal Scheme is intended to illustrate the 

 value t and importance of some of our water rights, and the necessity 

 for keeping them in view. This scheme is one of several the 

 practicability of which was long ago established, and which remain 

 to be dealt with. The importance of guarding our rights in such 

 manner that no obstacle will arise to prevent the carrying out of 

 these schemes will not be disputed even by those who still consider 

 that the time for them has not yet come. 



