418 
It is a well-known fact that in California, the London Basin, and many other 
localities where artesian wells arc numerous, the overflow has diminished, and in some 
cases altogether stopj)cd. For the sake of argument I have summed up the amount 
which would overflow from all the Queensland bores mentioned in the following pages 
if they were allowed to run without check. The total amounts to 58,177,760 gallons 
per day, or 21,234,882,400 gallons per annum, which is equal to the total annual rainfall 
over nearly seventy-two square miles, taking it at an average of 20‘43 inches.* G-ranting 
that the rainfall is greater in the coastal regions where the water-bearing strata may 
be supposed to crop out, what may he called the expenditure still bears an alarmingly 
large proportion to what may be called the income, for it must not be forgotten that 
the length of the outer boundary line of the Lower Cretaceous Formation is the 
possible length of the outcrop of any w'ater-bearing or other stratum in it. Even a thick 
water-bearing stratum would only occupy with its outcrop a breadth of a few chains at most; 
so that it would take many miles in length of the outcrop of such a stratum to receive 
that portion of the rainfall of a square mile which is not carried off by streams or 
evaporated. It may, therefore, be safely predicted that if artesian wells become much 
more numerous, and if all be allowed to overflow, a diminution of the supply may shortly 
be looked for. It is gratifying that the Government is taking steps to prevent 
the waste of artesian w'ater. It seems to me that the use of the w'ater should be 
restricted to stock-watering and town supply. Even irrigation I should regard as wilful 
waste, unless indeed, after the lapse of years, there should be found to be no diminution 
in the supply. 
PAETICULAES OF BOEES IN THE EOLLING DOWNS. 
EOCKLANDS. 
A bore at Eooklands Station, on Pring Creek, a tributary of the Georgina Eiver, 
intheBarkly Table-laud, still, I believe, incomplete, shows several alternations of strata, 
including, as I read it, not only Lower Cretaceous strata, but also the Desert Sandstone, 
some Tertiary rocks, and overlying basalts. 
The site of the bore is about six hundred feet above sea-level, and about Lat. 
19 40', and Long. 138° 15'. The section has been kindly handed to me by Mr. A. 
Eourke : ~ 
Surface ■ 
Hardened clay and boulders 
Feet. 
... 33 
- Eed clay 
••• 
... 3 
'Eotten limestone 
... 8 
Eotten limestone with basalt seams 
••• ••• 
... 12 
Basalt ■ 
Basalt and lime rock ... 
... 16 
Lime rock 
... 5 
.Basalt 
» • « • 
... 4 
'Lime rock 
... 14 
Eed sand ... ... ... 
... 3 
Lime, iron, and sandstone 
... 17 
Eotten limestone and red clay 
... 21 
Eotten rock and boulders 
... 16 
Tertiary P - 
Porous lime rook with flinty seams 
... 8 
- 
Hard lime rock 
... 11 
Eotten porous limestone 
... 30 
Hard lime rook 
... 1 
Eotten rook 
... 8 
Lime rock 
... 12 
* This is the average rainfall at Charleville for the eleven years ending with 1890. 
