160 Failure of the Fan Yean Reservoir. 



From the data which I have presented to you, it will be 

 observed that there is a sufficient supply in the eastern arm 

 of the Plenty for the present population of the city. The 

 discharge of this main branch in January, was 4,450 gallons 

 per minute, and deducting 630 gallons, which I have done 

 to compensate for the previous heavy rains, and to assmnlate 

 the amount to Mr. Blackburn's estimate for ordinary seasons, 

 we have 3,820 gallons per minute, which is equal to five feet 

 one inch in the reservoir, and would, therefore, suffice for a 

 population of 138,600, supposing the whole to be conveyed 

 in iron pipes without loss. Here, then, is one source ot 

 supply, and the water is pure and unexceptionable. 



But there are certain considerations of great moment con- 

 nected with this source. 



In a dry summer, such as that of 1851, the supply would, 

 according to the measurements of Mr. Blackburn, be reduced 

 by one-fifth, therefore this source can only be depended on 

 to afford a constant supply for a population of 110,000. And, 

 accordino- to Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Hodgkmson, a drought 

 of eio-ht months, or of one year's duration would dimmish it 

 still further, if not dry it up altogether, as the western arm 



has been more than once. , . . ,i , 4. 



Another very weighty consideration is, that the present 

 stream of the Plenty is entirely dependent on the eastern 

 branch for its supply, the western being evaporated and lost 

 in the marshes. If this supply therefore is cut oft, the 

 Plenty will cease to run altogether, unless the western arm 

 he conveyed for a distance of five miles clear of the swamps, 

 which I fear will be found a difficult and expensive operation. 

 It could be done without any loss by laying a thirty-six 

 inch^e; but the cost, according to Mr. Christy's estimate, 

 would be 70,000Z. , ^ p 



By adopting efficient means to save the western arm from 

 Pvnii ration, and to restore it to the natural channel below the 

 Tarn's X stream might be maintained, notwithstanding 

 Xe appropriation of the eastern arm for the use of the City. 



ThrGovernment and Legislative Counci have therefore 

 seriously to consider if it be right or proper that this rapidly 

 Creasing City should be dependent on a .ource wh^ch is 

 only eotral to supply a population of 138,500 in_ ordinary 

 seasons and 110,000 in very dry summers, and _m severe 

 droughts perhaps nothing at all. And it is very important 

 to beS n^3 that if we are to pay for bringing water by 

 gravSon from a distance of twenty-five miles, we are not 



