36 W. H. WARREN. 
country west of a line joining Deniliquin and Hay. As in 
any case there will certainly be a surplus available for 
irrigation, it will be a matter for very careful consideration 
where that water is to be used, due weight given to relative 
average rainfalls, areas of Crown lands, areas of good irri- 
gable lands, and the interest that can be provided on the 
cost of the schemes under the different conditions. It is 
contended by the landholders east of the latter line men- 
tioned, that the productiveness of the lands within that 
area should be further increased by the application of this 
water to the soil and a still closer settlement induced. I | 
lean to the opinion myself that this water should be reserved 
for the area mentioned west of that line, to make that 
country fit for profitable occupation, it being the most arid 
portion of the Murray Basin in New South Wales. This 
scheme would comprise a canal taking off from the Murray 
at Tocumwal, crossing the Billabong at Conargo and con- 
necting to the Murrumbidgee at Pevensey below Hay. 
The channel would be continued from the Murrumbidgee 
across the Lachlan at Oxley and past Arumpo to Gol Gol. 
No definite conclusion can be arrived at regarding these 
schemes until an arrangement is arrived at regarding the 
allotment of the Murray waters to the different States, 
but meanwhile the whole area should be examined, and all 
areas of irrigable land classified and charted. Surveys 
made of the proposed canals from the Murray at Tocumwal 
and the Murrumbidgee at Pevensey and the existence of 
underground water tested by a series of trial bores. Detail 
estimates can then be prepared of each canal scheme pro- 
pounded and a conclusion arrived at as to what scheme 
will result in the greatest good to the State. After the 
allotment of the Murray waters is arranged, it would be as 
well to put in hand the construction of the first section of 
the channels from the offtakes decided upon, and clinch the 
claims of this State, v. hich has always been rebuked in the 
