G. H. KNIBBS. - yok 634 Oe XLVII. 
thorough investigation which alone is a true basis for 
practical guidance. 
3. The future of artesian exploitation.—How to exploit 
our artesian waters so as to secure the maximum economic 
advantage, that is the practical question which is presenting 
itself for settlement, and the future of our artesian system 
largely depends thereupon. It may be that the area of 
intake, and the rainfall thereon, is adequate for any number 
of bores likely to be made. On the other hand we may be 
recklessly playing with an economic capital which it has 
taken centuries to accumulate. Though it is not possible 
for us to agree with Professor Gregory’s conception of the 
hydraulic aspects of the problem, this at least may be fairly 
inferred from what he says, viz., that the supply may be 
exhausted, and that the great pressure occasionally mani- 
fested is, after all, no sufficient ground for believing ule 
artesian supply to be practically inexhaustible. 
Without in any way being alarmist, it must be admitted 
that we know altogether too little about the physical and 
hydraulic conditions of a problem upon which economic 
development in our arid interior is greatly dependent. We 
are smilingly drawing on our capital: is Nature not only 
honouring the draft but keeping our credit balance in her 
bank everlastingly good? That is just what we want to 
know and do not know. 
