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becomes drier, and this has taken place and affected the mineral springs, 
as well as the other sources of water in the district. For, although the 
deepest source of the water in the mineral springs may be far down in the 
rocks, as the water approaches the surface the volume is added to by 
water derived from the surface, possibly in the vicinity of the mineral 
spring. 
It appears that there are fluctuations in the flow of these springs 
dependent on the seasons, and this implies that at least a portion of 
their volume is controlled by the surface waters that are absorbed. 
Unless the original conditions as regards the forest are restored, it is 
unlikely that the mineral springs will regain the volume of outflow that 
formerly prevailed. Although this would not be possible, something might 
be done in that direction by scrupulously preserving the forest growths 
on the reserves surrounding the mineral springs. Beyond this, it is difficult 
to see what could be done to increase the volume from them. 
Another direction in which the outflow might be conserved is by 
refraining from impeding it. In opening out the eyes off the springs, care 
should be taken not to raise the height off the water above its natural 
level. In the case off some of these springs, the water has been raised 
7 or 8 inches above the original level of outflow. This additional pressure 
diminishes the flow, and sometimes has a tendency to divert it into other 
channels. At the Jubilee Lake Spring, a cistern to hold 50 gallons of 
water was built over the eye of the spring, and the height of the outflow 
was raised, I am informed, about 8 inches. On my recent visit there was 
no outflow whatever from this spring. 
These springs all come out of the rocks at the lowest points of the 
surface, generally in creek beds, and there is consequently a difficulty 
in so arranging their outflow that the water may be run into vessels. To 
accomplish this by raising the water-level in the spring is objectionable. 
The other method is to allow the water from the spring to flow through 
a pipe which is conducted a sufficient distance down the creek to allow of 
a vessel being placed below the outlet of the pipe. 
In the case of both Hard Hills Spring and Sutton’s Spring, it might 
be worth while to examine the eyes of the springs, and to ascertain that 
the outflow -is at the natural level, and such action should be taken at the 
Jubilee Lake Spring as would restore the outflow to the natural level. It is 
not desirable in any way to attempt to enlarge, or in any other way to 
interfere with, the orifice off the springs. 
At Leggett's Spring, after the rock around the eyes has been cleaned, 
and concrete walls have been built all around to exclude other water, the 
whole of the floor should be covered with concrete, except the eyes them¬ 
selves, and these should be concreted around, and a small dome placed 
over them. The water should flow away from the two eyes at natural 
level, through tin-lined iron pipes, until sufficient fall is gained to allow 
of a vessel being placed under the outflow. 
It is objectionable to accumulate the water in cisterns before using, 
as directly the water reaches the surface the gas escapes, and the salts 
go out of solution, and the qualities of the mineral water are lost. It 
is far better that the water should be drunk exactly as it leaves the spring. 
This being the case, it would greatly tend to increase the number of 
visitors if each spring had a handsome small pump-house built where 
the water is to be drunk, and if the surroundings were made pleasant 
by planting lawns or flower beds and by conserving or adding to the 
native trees near the springs and along the paths leading to them. When 
