SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
portion of the Goulburn Valley to Kerang, which is served by natural 
reservoirs known as the Kow Swamp and the Kerang Lakes. When 
the Torrumbarry weir is completed, the level of the river will be con- 
siderably raised, and these natural reservoirs will be able to be 
replenished when desired. ; 
Another important work contemplated at an early date is the con- 
struction of a weir for the diversion, when necessary, of waters into Lake 
Victoria. Lake Victoria provides one of the finest natural storage 
basins along the whole length of the river. The object here will be, 
during times of plenty, to fill this basin, and then, as the river later 
recedes, to discharge its contents back into the river for the use of the 
settlements in ‘South Australian territory. Lake Victoria is in New 
South Wales, about 4 miles inland from the banks of the Murray, and 
is 35 miles below the town of Wentworth, and 14 miles above the South 
Australian border. It embraces about 30,000 acres, and is connected 
with the main stream when the river is high by one or two creeks. It 
is estimated that when the natural intake and outlet have been improved, 
the capacity of the reservoir will amount to 514,000 acre-feet, which is 
just about half the capacity of the main storage reservoir at Mitta 
Mitta. When completed, the water, instead of being allowed to escape, 
whether it is required further down the Murray or not, will be regulated 
to suit the requirements of the irrigation settlements. It is expected 
that three years will be required for the completion of the work, and 
the estimated cost of £320,000 will be insignificant in comparison with 
the value of the results to be obtained. © 
That part of the scheme already authorized, together with the cost 
of land resumption, are estimated to cost £3,000,000; and since the 
Commission commenced its duties in 1917, a little more than £400,000 
has been expended. The estimated expenditure for 1920 is £618,000, 
but it is doubtful whether this figure will be reached. Originally, the - 
total cost of carrying out the complete works under the agreement was 
estimated at slightly more than £4,500,000, of which £1,000,000 was to 
be contributed by the Commonwealth, and the remainder to be provided 
in equal amounts by the three States. Since these estimates were pre- 
pared, however, there has been a very large increase in the cost of 
labour and material, and it is abundantly clear that the total cost will 
greatly exceed the first estimate. Obviously, it will be very many years 
before the scheme in contemplation will be completed. 
The sites for some other weirs and locks have been decided upon, 
and others, from time to time, as the work progresses, will be under- 
taken. A commencement has been made with those which will give 
the greatest benefit, and which can be easily and more readily con- 
structed. 
Of recent years, several of the old-established settlements have been 
in a somewhat precarious position at various times, owing to the 
' inadequacy. of head storages, which has allowed the Murray to fall at 
various places too low for pumping requirements during the critical 
period of summer. At present, there are all the indications of a large 
expansion in the fruit-growing area along the Murray, and it is highly 
probable that the increased acreage which this huge conservation 
scheme will permit will be devoted mainly to the cultivation of vines 
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