42 W. H. WARREN. 
of these streams should be reserved for the use of the 
Lower Darling where the aridity is much greater, and any 
irrigation over this area should be from artesian bores, if 
the supply from such is sufficient and can be economically 
applied. 
No works have been constructed on the tributary streams 
or to west of the Darling, and no facilities exist for diver- 
sions; they are more intermittent in flow than those on 
the eastern side and the only means of utilising them is by 
means of weirs for stock purposes. These streams are so 
intermittent in flow and the facilities for large storage 
wanting, that irrigation from them is not practicable, and 
they are for the same reason of doubtful utility for stock . 
purposes. The artesian supplies must therefore be mainly 
depended on over this area for all purposes. 
Artesian Area.—The artesian area in New South Wales 
physically and climatically closely resembles the portion 
of the Darling watershed in the same State. The sources 
of supply of both are the western slopes of the Dividing — 
Range in this State, the average rainfall decreasing in like 
manner as each recedes from its source. It has been stated 
previously that with regard to the rivers of this State, the 
records of the department enable a close estimate to be 
arrived at of the quantity of water available in average 
and dry seasons. As regards the artesian supply there is 
no reliable information on this point, although estimates 
varying in amount have been made on different bases by 
several people. It is absolutely necessary to deal com- 
prehensively with a system of water conservation that 
this should be obtained, and as it is probable that the whole 
of the area in this State receives its supply from sources 
within this State, this information can be obtained without 
the co-operation of neighbouring States. The first infor- 
mation required is a detail geological survey to define the 
