LXXXIV. REVIEW OF WATER CONSERVATION IN N.S.W. 
The artesian area is divided by the Darling or Barwon 
into two divisions, the western being under the control of 
the Western Lands Board. Under the long leases now 
granted by the Board it is probable that artesian boring 
will be carried out by private enterprise, leaving only 
public watering places to the care of the State. In the 
Central division where the policy of closer settlement pre- 
vails, it will be necessary to map out the country into Trust 
Districts and construct the works. At present it is only 
possible to arrange bores to give supplies for stock, a small 
surplus being also available for small irrigation, but when 
the demand for irrigation increases, it will be necessary to 
sink more than one bore in each Trust District. 
The recent drought has had a valuable educative influ- 
ence on the settlers, and I have no doubt that the next 
few years will see a large number of works carried out 
both by the State and by private individuals. Private 
works are amply safeguarded by the Water Rights Act, 
and State works can be carried on with confidence so 
long as they are an insurance on the prosperity of the 
country. 
Proposals have recently been put forward for the con- 
struction of large irrigation schemes by private enterprise. 
It is debateable whether such works should be allowed to 
pass out of the hands of the State. The area which can 
be commanded by gravitation from our rivers is largely in 
excess of the water supply. The land is of variable quality, 
some of it is excellent for irrigation and some of it is quite 
unsuitable, portions of it have a good rainfall and other 
portions are served by railways. Some of it, if irrigated, | 
would justify the construction of new railways. On the 
whole, I am of opinion that no large irrigation schemes 
should be approved until a thorough classification of all the 
included landismade. This restriction should apply to all 
