of dams which have been constructed and guarded by armed men, 

 of otlier dams which, after construction in this way by one armed 

 mob, have been cut through by another ; of many cases where 

 dams were needful, but were -not built through fear of litigation ; 

 and of the purchase of extensive pumping plant which frequently 

 lies idle for the same reason." This is still the state of affairs in 

 New South Wales ; but as the necessity for ■ legislation is now 

 universally admitted, it is hoped that the question will soon be 

 suitably dealt with. As matters at present stand nothing can 

 legally be done towards utilising the available supply of water for 

 irrigatioii. In this matter the people of this colony are placed in 

 the same position as the Government and people of Victoria are 

 in regard to the River Murray. The interests and the necessities 

 of many of our most enterprising western landholders have out- 

 weighed tlieir respect for the law, and so it has been with the 

 Government and people of Victoria in the case of the River 

 Murray. Were it not for this disregard of the law on the part of 

 a number of our pastoralists in the Central and Western Divisions 

 of this colony it might be stated with considerable reason that 

 Australian enterprise in the development of the land is bounded 

 on the north by the River Murray. 



Necessity op an Examining Board for Engineers. 

 It is very desirable that legislation dealing with riparian rights 

 and the constitution of water trusts should also provide for the 

 appointment of an examining board of engineers of recognised 

 standing, who would decide as to the qualifications necessary for 

 engineers to water trusts. A board of this description has been 

 in existence for some years in Victoria, and the names of qualified 

 engineers are published from time to time in the official reports of 

 the Water Supply Department. This arrangement is an important 

 measure of protection both to the public and to qualified hydraulic 

 engineers. Some time ago we had a Royal Commission to inquire 

 into abuses in the medical profession. More recently we have 

 read and heard much about abuses among architects, and the only 

 reason why we have heard little about abuses among civil engineers 

 is that, owing to the existing system of centralisation, private and 

 local enterprises are checked and limited, whilst nearly all tlie 

 availaljle employment for civil engineers is monopolised by 



style himself "doctor," "civil engineer," "architect," or "surveyor.'' 

 or he may even adopt all four designations. Doctors' mistakes do 

 not remain in a position to bear damaging testimony, but the 

 mistakes of civil engineers and architects afford evidence which 

 cannot \ye disputed. In the case of civil engineers, such mistakes- 



