illy portion of the Macquarie 



have catchment areas of 790 and 550 square miles respectively. 

 Comparing this total catchment with the effective catchments of 

 the Macquarie and ISTamoi, we find that it is less than one-seventh 

 nsiderably less than one-third of the latter. 



portion of the basin of the 

 Xainoi it is nearly 22i in. From the available information, it 

 appears doubtful whether the average rainfall on the upper parts 

 of the basin of the Wimmera exceeds that on the Macquarie or the 

 ^ nmoi ; and it may therefore be assumed that, roughly speaking, 

 the discharge of these rivers is in proportion to their effective 

 catchment areas. The Wimmera scheme, as already mentioned, 

 "^vas designed to afford a supply to an area of 2750 square utiles, 

 and there is little doubt that expectation on this head will be 

 realised if not exceeded. The tract of country between the 

 Macquarie and the Bogan, which is at least as well adapted for 

 the distriljution and storage of water as the Wimmera district, is, 

 roughly, 180 miles in length by 30 miles in width, or equal to au 

 area of about 5400 square miles. To supply this area with water, 



great as that which can successfully supply an area of 2750 s<iuare 

 nines. In the short period during which the Wimmera works 

 have been in operation, they have, as we have shown, increased 

 by £1 per acre the value of the land benefited ; and it may 

 reasonably be asked why equal results should not be obtained in 

 this colony by similar works on the Macquarie and other rivers. 

 85upposing that the works in the Wimmera district will cost 

 altogether £150,000— and there is no reason to suppose that that 

 amount will be exceeded— there is every reason to conclude that 

 works can be constructed in the Macquarie District at double that 

 amount, which will give double the supply. Judging, then, from 

 the result achieved in the Wimmera district, it is a fair conclusion 

 that a judicious expenditure of £300,000 in diverting supplies 

 trom the Macquarie and distributing them through the district 

 between that river and the Bogan would result in increasing the 

 yalue of the land by about 3^ millions sterling. The Macquarie 

 IS only one of a large number of rivers of New South Wales which 

 could be dealt with in the same manner as the Wimmera." 



Progress of Water Coxservation Work ix Victoria. 

 ^ Such was the opinion given by the New South Wales Water 

 ommission in -1886, since which time the development of water 

 conservation works in Victoria has proceeded at a rapid rate. In 



vhole subject of riparian rights, and admittedly 



