13 



of New Guinea and other adjacent islands are the real sources 

 of the water supply of Australia, through the strata under- 

 lying the channels separating the great Continent from the 

 Islands of the Malay Archipelago, and this theory is certainly 

 feasible when it is remembered that geological researches 

 point to the junction, in bygone ages, of the Continent of 

 Australia with the Islands of the Archipelago, and even with 

 the Peninsula of India itself ; while it is pointed out, I 

 think in Wallace's charming book on the Malay Archipelago, 

 that the Straits between Australia and the principal Islands 

 are by no means deep, and in fact that the soundings give 

 abundant evidence in support of the theory of primeval 

 junction by land. 



In these few remarks water has been principally regarded 

 from the point of view of its necessity for human needs, 

 although incidentally its necessity for the growth of the 

 products of the soil has been touched upon. There would 

 appear to be in the future a great field for utilising the force 

 of water for mechanical purposes. Already the forces of the 

 Falls of Niagara are called into requisition for the production 

 of electrical power, and the progress of electrical science will 

 in all probability be accompanied by a corresponding exten- 

 sion in the utilisation of the great natural forces of water. 



These remarks, however, would be incomplete without 

 some reference to the " vasty deep," the great reservoir of 

 water, the mighty Ocean which covers three-fifths of the 

 surface of the globe. What do we not owe to the Ocean, the 

 source from which we primarily obtain all this wonderful 

 supply of water so absolutely necessary for our existence ; 

 the great highway, by traversing which we can reach every 

 part of the earth ; the great purifier, health-giver, and health- 

 restorer. Finally, what do we not owe to the Ocean, seeing 

 that by its existence these Sea-girt Islands have for more 

 than 800 years been free from the foot of the invader — one of 

 the great elements in the firm establishment and prosperity 

 of this, the heart of the British Empire. 



