xX. H. G. McKINNEY. 
The conditions originally existing on the Wimmera River 
closely resembled those on several rivers in the Central and 
Western Divisions of this State, so that when the con- 
struction of dams and weirs on it was first undertaken an 
outcry was raised by the holders of the lower lands. This 
outcry was increased when the improvement of. natural 
outflow channels and the construction of new outflows was 
initiated. It proved, however, that the apprehensions were 
groundless, and that the system of improvements made 
was practically an unmixed benefit to a large district. The 
results of the works carried out were that a permanent 
supply of water was stored in the river by the weirs, that 
several hundred miles of channels distributed the surplus 
water throughout the district, and that the lower holders 
were more equally and more regularly supplied with water 
than before. 
The principles of this system can be and should be 
followed on most of our western rivers, and particularly 
on the Lachlan, Macquarie, Namoi, and Gwydir, and on the 
numerous creeks of the Central and Western Divisions 
which afford suitable conditions for conserving water. 
What is wanted in all such cases is a complete series of 
weirs or dams to conserve water for stock and domestic 
purposes where the supply is small, and for irrigation where 
the conditions are sufficiently favourable, and outflow 
channels and pumping stations at intervals to utilize the 
surplus waters to the greatest advantage, The construc- 
tion of numerous weirs in the rivers would ensure a more 
regular and more equable supply to the lower holders, and 
would thus encourage them to make distributary channels 
to supersede the present wasteful arrangement of leaving 
everything to nature. 
With regard to the depth of water which may be allowed 
to be held back by weirs and dams in our creeks and rivers, 
