ARTESIAN WATER PROBLEM. 
oe j 7 
The above ig a very general outline of what is known as the Asean 
Hypothesis» as to the origin of the water, and in terms of it many Ruta 
rare Gk to depths to be bored and flows to be gained were made. 7 
Ginsion a to Whether the water found natural subterranean outlets Lop ie 
Gulf of Carpentaria came in also; but the essential idea was that the Fees 
Wis Tain-water which has percolated into the porous upturned edges of the basin 
where rainfall and flowing rivers were abundant. 
Tn 1906 «The Deac 
Tee Australia,’ by Professor J. W. Gregory, was 
Published, and was fe Rett ie a visit to Central Australia by that author 
jogether With several of hig students.- In this publication and subsequent ones 
'Y the same author, the “ Meteorie Hypothesis ” was criticised and ents i 
emg untenable while great prominence was given to a plutonic source of the 
Water Tut g 
¢ : Saar 
- Plutonic Water is regarded as rising from the interior of the earth, having 
Cen given off 
and 
i i "SV ve he chief advo- 
: til 1914 a rather bitter controversy raged between t a 
Wes of the two main hypotheses as to the origin of the water and other mane 
“A ne deplores the warmth with which the controversy has been Mase ; Bs 
ue has been that a great deal of interest in the matter has been. taken y 
qoeutific investigators and others, and it has been shown quite clearly that pany 
eerotae Connexion with this great and beneficent supply are not understood, 
ae that it j « matter of concern to several States that the several problems 
“elated with the matter should be investigated, : 
The Problems 
requiring investigation are geological, chemical, and Pec 
an & better understanding of several matters might well ress in con siete 
a praueee to future generations in Australia, Quite apart from 
latter, 
i ] . . . . * : b’ r- 
% lt is clear that there is a very serious diminution* in the total outpou 
ng of the aS ) 
‘rtesian bores, and estimates of an annual decrease up to 8 per cent. 
vag mount for some bores in certain areas which. have been Paneeauned ate 
thoroughly sound observations. In some cases local causes, cig ‘ os 
casing, corrosion of casing, &c., may be put forward to expla 
vinge cease in flow, but in the opinion of those best competent to form an 
Muon, both in virtue of experience and training, the observed Babies 
sup ieee individual bores is thought to be due to a general falling off in the 
PPIY of the asin rather than to local causes. 
i 2 ial records 
st ‘t that some bores have. ceased. flowing, and Sree gil on va 
beet * Steady annual decrease in outpouring for practically a ee eereciane 
ce «Xamined must be faced. Any means that can be adopted to 
eserve «it 
Should po wel, to utilize it so that no waste ea eag uae tan Pees, + 
: taken. Legislati as been introduced in the var ates, 
- Legislation has been in te? Senne 
jot been submitted to with good grace by many, as they feel it oe eased cr 
ne ortect hypothesis—the meteoric hypothesis—as to the cuee a Hare ae 
adoptio ne conceded that the meteoric hypothesis ig ecg ata a ae 
1 sn Of the rival j scessitate a more string: 2 ; 
. al idea should necessita g 
dqone hypo esis, which was accepted in a general. way for Bere eeee BS 
Ting the last, decade, had many attacks on it, and while it SED. shee eee 
: 7 rf 7 sy . s 2 2Ta- 
(Hage OW about the basin, there are certain mas viene ae a pea 
faeeee ore) and the composition of the waters, mie it as ped titestag 
AEM y he great importance of ascerta gs ssil 
formats, WY Some years ago the gres } pe ee 
ants i i : i ler to legislate for efficient co 
Leoylaq: out this national asset, in orde 20 : 
oy and preseryation was placed before the several mee Boonen te, 
, i St : Artesian. Water was 
Sydney, R 'e first Inter-State Conference on A a 
an 1 1 ae esen tati 2S the fi e States concer ned ith artesian ater met, 
C Tego uti ves of ay ve S r Ww g Ww 
b } 
Y the dig tS Were passed in regard to the advisability of simultaneous actio 
\ : =) 
ih i Uerent States to provide for— 
1. delimitation of the artesian areas. *e 
¥ “arrying out of a hydrographical survey, including— 
j } © AS: - 
(4) The Sauging of the flow of streams within the artesian areas; 
ing “ / bores. 
ae) the measurement and recording ‘of the flows of all 
*Re a “ t 
Do ; 
Dp, XTi? Secona Inter-State Conference on Artesia 
n Water,. Brisbane, 1914, 
47 
