INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. Ill. 
last year, it was decided to adopt the present scheme as 
probably being more likely to suit the convenience of 
members. The details of the plan were left to the discre- 
tion of the committee, and any suggestions for future 
Sessions, which members may be able to offer as a result 
of this week’s experience, will be welcomed by the 
committee. 
Probably no explanation is needed as to our choice of a 
subject for discussion at the first Session. It is now gener- 
ally recognised that an assured and sufficient, even if not 
liberal supply of water in all years, is an essential factor 
in the complete achievement of the country’s industrial 
possibilities, and the community at large is coming to be 
alive to the importance and wisdom of undertaking such 
works of water conservation and irrigation as may ulti- 
mately attain this end. The problem is admittedly a large 
and difficult one. The area of country to be dealt with is 
so enormous, the quantity of water so limited, and the 
conflicting interests involved so various, that a complete 
scheme of water conservation and distribution is not to be 
quickly arrivedat. The preparations for so great an under- 
taking merit therefore the most careful consideration, and 
it was thought that no more suitable subject could be 
selected for the deliberation of the Section. 
I do not propose to trench upon the subjects to be dis- 
cussed by later speakers, but before sitting down I wish to 
refer in a word or two to the question of the education and 
training of those who are to engage in this enterprise. 
That leading colleges and universities in America should 
find it advisable to inaugurate systematic courses of instruc- 
tion in irrigation-engineering is most noteworthy, first as 
an obvious evidence of the importance which attaches to 
the whole subject in that part of the world, and secondly 
as showing the distinct effort which has been made to meet 
