INTERCOLONIAL WATER RIGHTS AS AFFECTED BY FEDERATION. 251 



The principal tributaries of the river Darling in New South 

 Wales have been referred to in their order, and the remarks made 

 in regard to the question of water rights in connection with them 

 apply in almost every particular to the tributaries which flow from 

 Queensland. The Warrego, the Balonne and its subsidiary rivers, 

 the Moonie, and the Weir have characteristics so much in common 

 with the Macquarie, the G-wydir, and the Naixioi, that it is 

 unnecessary to refer to them separately. 



As already mentioned, the utilisation of the rivers of the 

 Darling Basin in Queensland is still in the initial stage, and the 

 only question of an Inter-State character which has yet arisen 

 in connection with them, related to the interception of water by 

 dams. Some of the landholders in New South Wales considered 

 that their rights were being infringed in this manner by land- 

 holders in Queensland. The matter dropped for the time, but it 

 is safe to anticipate that such questions will arise in increasing 

 number as settlement progresses. The very important part played 

 by the Queensland tributaries in supplying flood water to the 

 river Darling and maintaining the facilities for navigation will 

 render it necessary for the Inter-State Commission to watch the 

 steps which may be taken to utilise these rivers to the greatest 

 advantage. 



It is interesting to contemplate what has been done by the 

 people of Victoria in preserving and using their rights, and to 

 contrast the views held and the action taken in that State with 

 the views held and the absence of action, so far as large works 

 are concerned, in New South Wales. 



The principal tributaries of the river Murray in Victoria are 

 the Mitta Mitta, the Kiewa, the Ovens, the Broken River, the 

 Goulburn, the Campaspe, and the Loddon. The courses of the 

 first two extend almost entirely through mountainous country and 

 no arrangements appear to have been made by the Government 

 of Victoria for diverting their waters for irrigation. Of the other 

 tributaries of the river Murray on its south side, the Goulburn, 

 which is by far the most important, is intercepted at Murchison 



