Points of information.

The capacity of storages is stated in acre-feet. One “ acre-foot ” means the quantity required to cover 1 acre 1 foot deep. This is equivalent to 43,560 cubic feet or 272,250 gallons.

Water released from the Hume Dam takes four days to reach Yarrawonga Weir (150 miles) and thirty-four days to reach Wentworth (870 miles).

Water from Burrinjuck takes five and a half days to reach Berembed Weir (240 miles) and twenty-eight days to reach the Murray River (735 miles).

Water from Wyangala takes five days to reach Jemalong Weir (180 miles) and fifty-eight days to reach the Murrum-bidgee (800 miles).

Water from the Headwaters of the Darling takes two months to reach Wentworth (1,700 miles from source).

The estimated total area irrigated in New South Wales for the year ended 30th June, 1948, was 510,168 acres, and the total quantity of water delivered for irrigation was 779,975 acre feet.

Particulars of the activities of the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission of New South Wales are given in the pages which follow.

WATER CONSERVATION AND IRRIGATION IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Constituted under the provisions of the Irrigation Act, 19121946, the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission consists of the Minister for Conservation (Chairman ex officio), and two appointed Commissioners.

(a) Water Conservation (including the control of Burrin-juck Dam, Wyangala Dam and other National Works in New South Wales, also investigations in connection with water storages throughout the State. Measurement of the flow of streams is an important part of such investigations).

(b) Control of Irrigation Areas throughout the State— comprising the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas, the Coomealla Irrigation Area, the Curlwaa Irrigation Area, the Hay Irrigation Area, and the Tullakool Irrigation Area.

(d) The establishment of sub-soil drainage districts within irrigation areas or domestic and stock water supply and irrigation districts, or water trust districts.

(e) The establishment of surface drainage districts comprising any lands other than lands within the defined boundaries of any city, town or village.

(f) The construction and maintenance of works within such sub-soil or surface drainage districts.

(g) Statutory control of private irrigation, including the issue of licenses under the Water Act, 1912-1946 to private landowners.

WATER CONSERVATION WORKS—HEAD STORAGES.

The rivers in which the flow is controlled by the release of water as required from head storages are the Murray River, by the Hume Dam; the Murrumbidgee River, by Burrinjuck Dam; and the Lachlan River, by Wyangala Dam.

The question of enlarging the Hume Dam, and thus increasing its storage capacity from the present maximum of 1,250,000 acre-feet to 2,000,000 acre-feet, has met with the approval of the Governments concerned, and work upon this project will be undertaken in due course.

The control of the waters of the Murray River for the benefit of the States of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia is exercised by the River Murray Commission, representing the four Parties to the Murray Waters Agreement (1917), viz., the Commonwealth of Australia, and the three States mentioned.

The Agreement provided for the construction of certain locks and weirs in the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers, the Lake Victoria Storage and the Hume Reservoir, for the purpose of regulating the flow of the Murray River and providing an equitable proportion of the flow for each State concerned.

The control by the River Murray Commission extends to the allocation of the stored waters. Once that is done it is the responsibility of the State Authority (the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission so far as New South Wales is concerned) to administer the State’s share and to carry out all schemes for the use of the water just as it does with die waters stored entirely within its own boundaries.

Water from the Hume storage is used by New South Wales for the following purposes:—

(1 ) domestic and stock water supply, irrigation and other purposes, by riparian landholders operating works licensed under the provisions of the Water Act, 19121946;

(3) irrigation of vines, fruit trees, fodder crops, etc., in the irrigation areas of Curlwaa and Coomealla (see pages 23 and 24) ;

(4) irrigation of rice and other cereals, fodder crops and pastures in the Tullakool Irrigation Area (see page 25);

(5) domestic and stock water supply and irrigation of pastures and fodder crops in the irrigation districts of Berriquin and Wakool (see pages 30 and 31);

(6) water trusts for domestic and stock purposes and/or irrigation (see pages 27 and 28).

Proposals for future development involve the constitution of new districts for domestic and stock water supply, with or without irrigation supplies, extension of the Coomealla Irrigation Area, and an increase in the number and scope of licensed diversions.

The dam is a concrete structure in a narrow gorge on the Murrumbidgee River about 32 miles, by road, south-west of Yass. The following are brief particulars of the dam and storage:—

The flow from Burrinjuck is supplemented by the unregulated flow of the Tumut River, which joins the Murrumbidgee a few miles upstream from Cundagai. The water from these two sources is used for the following purposes:—

(1) domestic and stock water supply, irrigation and other purposes, by riparian landholders operating works licensed under the provisions of the Water Act, 19121946;

(2) supplies in bulk for country towns, e.g., Cundagai, Wagga, Narrandera, Hay, Balranald, and SouthWest Tablelands Water Supply Scheme served from the pumping station at Jugiong;

(3) irrigation of fruit trees, vines, vegetables, rice, cereals, fodder crops and pastures in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas (page 15);

(4) domestic and stock water supply and irrigation of pastures and fodder crops in the irrigation districts of Tabbita, Benerembah and Wah Wah and the flood control and irrigation district of Lowbidgee (pages 33 and 35);

Note:—At Burrinjuck Dam two hydro-electric power-houses, each with a capacity of 10,000 kilowatts, have been installed by and are under the control of the Public Works Department. The generators are driven by water conveyed from the storage and current is supplied to Canberra, Queanbeyan, Gundagai, Tumut, Wagga, Junes, Cootamundra, Temora, Murrumburrah, Harden, Yass, Young, Grenfell, Cowra and Wyangala.

Proposals for future development involve the constitution of additional districts for domestic and stock water supply and irrigation supplied from additional storages to be constructed on the Tumut and Murrumbidgee Rivers, supplemented by diversion of portion of the flow of the Snowy River at Jindabyne.

The dam is a concrete structure on 30 miles by river upstream from Cowra. particulars of the dam and storage:— Catchment Area . . . .

Murruntt),

Water from the dam, as supplemented by the unregulated flow of the Belubula River, provides for domestic and stock purposes along the full length of the river (over 700 miles) and effluent creeks, also for irrigation by landholders operating licensed pumps. The towns of Cowra, Forbes, Condobolin, Hillston and Booligal obtain their water from the Lachlan River.

A balance storage at Lake Cargelligo conserves water during periods of high flow for release down the lower river as required.

Water from the Lachlan River, diverted at Jemalong Weir, supplies the districts of Jemalong and Wyldes Plains (see page 35).

Proposals for future development involve the provision of a head storage on the Belubula River, the construction of another balance storage at Lake Ballyrogan. work upon which is in progress, and expected to be completed during 1949, and constitution of domestic and stock water supply and irrigation districts, or development by licensed diversions so far as the available water will allow. The Department of Public Works has constructed a hydro-electric power-house at Wyangala Dam and intends to reticulate the current to towns and rural landholders over a wide area.

A map on page 1 0 shows the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas and adjoining parts of the State served by Burrinjuck Dam. The Areas consist of the Yanco Irrigation Area and the Mirrool Irrigation Area.

The source of water supply is the Burrinjuck storage on the Murrumbidgee River. Water is stored principally during winter and spring freshets, and released during the irrigation season, September to April inclusive. The water passes along the river channel for about 240 miles to Berembed, where a weir across the river diverts it into the main canal, which, at its offtake, has a capacity of 1,600 cubic feet per second. The main canal has been completed to beyond Griffith, a distance of 96£ miles from the offtake.

The first point of draw-off to supply the Irrigation Area is at a distance of about 40 miles from the offtake. A complete system of reticulation channels has been provided, together with drainage channels, bridges, regulators and other structures; also roads to serve every farm. The mileage of channels and roads in use on the Areas at the present time is as follows;—

In addition there are 380 miles (approximately) of supply channels running through adjacent irrigation districts, which are fed by the same water supply system, though the land is not under the control of the Commission.

The water supply to each farm is given at about its highest point, and is measured at its offtake from the supply channel by a Dethridge meter. This consists of a concrete chamber in

which is set a wheel, to the axle of which is attached a counter which registers the number of revolutions. From this number the quantity of water delivered is calculated.

The channel and structures previously mentioned have been constructed by the Commission. The construction of head ditches, grading of land, etc., within the farm boundaries are matters for the holders of the blocks.

The number of water rights which are attached to the farms, the price of such water rights, and the number which are a fixed charge are set out in the Gazette notification making the farms available. (A water right is the right to such a quantity annually of water, 12 inches deep, as would cover an area of 1 acre.)

The basis of allotment of water rights is one for each acre of irrigable area, in respect of horticultural farms, and up to 150 water rights for large area .farms. The largest of the latter contain a proportion of non-irrigable land, but farms up to 500 acres consist of nearly all irrigable land.

Lands within the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas come within the provisions of the Crown Lands Act.

Land has, from time to time, been made available for disposa by way of purchase in fee simple (freehold) or perpetual lease. The purchase money or annual rental, as the case may be, is stated in the Government Gazette notifying the land as available for application.

The perpetual lease tenure may be converted to freehold at a price equal to twenty times the annual rental in the case of farming lands, and at market values for town lands, etc., irrespective of permanent improvements in all cases.

At 30th June, 1948, the number of settlers holding farms was 1,952, the total area under occupation, including town lands, was about 341,195 acres, including 46,056 acres held under short lease for grazing, agriculture and other purposes.

The estimated total value of the primary production of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Anas, and irrigated holdings in adjoining districts, for the year ended 30th June, 1948, was £4,336,000. The total value of production since the Areas were first established is approximately £42,900,000.

The total value of production of large area farms for the year 1947-48, including rice (£870,800), wool (£357,000), cereals (£757,000), sheep, pigs and cattle (£456,700) and dairy products (£63,600) was £2,505,100.

The total value of horticultural products, including citrus fruits (£416,000), deciduous fruits (£654,300), wine grapes (£255,000), dried vine fruits and table grapes (£86,100) was £1,41 1,400 for the same year, and the value of vegetables produced during that period is estimated at £345,800. A large proportion of these were grown under contract with the Leeton Co-operative Cannery, and processed for Australian consumption or oversea trade.

Miscellaneous products such as poultry, eggs, honey and gypsum, for the year 1947-48, were valued at £73,700.

Following upon successful experiments by the Commission some years ago in the growth of rice, this industry has come into prominence on the Areas. The crop was first grown on a commercial basis in 1924 when 157 acres were planted. The area sown annually prior to the war was about 24,000 acres, producing more than sufficient for Australian requirements, and indicating the rapid strides which the industry had made since its inception

The marketing of the product is controlled by the Rice Marketing Board constituted under the Marketing of Primary Products Act.

In order to regulate production, the Commission, in consultation with the Rice Marketing Board, and representatives of the growers, fixes the maximum area to which water will be made available each year on individual farms.

To meet an increased demand for rice during and after the war, the area planted has been increased and rice has been grown in the adjoining irrigation districts, Benerembah and Tabbita.

The quantity of rice produced on the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas and adjoining districts since the industry commenced is approximately 833,200 tons, the gross value of which is estimated at over £9,000,000.

Approximately 20,755 acres are under orchard and vineyard in various stages of growth, made up as follows:—

A cannery, established at Leeton, and operated by a settlers’ co-operative society, is capable of treating 300 tons of fruit per day. A large proportion of the deciduous fruit grown on the Areas is treated by this cannery and by a proprietary cannery at Griffith. To overcome the labour shortage the Leeton Cannery has installed modern American peach-pitting machines.

Practically the whole of the States’ production of canning peaches and apricots is grown on the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas.

There are six large wineries in addition to numerous individual wine-making plants on the Areas for the treatment of the grapes produced, which average about 90 per cent, of the total production in New South Wales. The capital investment in the wine industry of the Areas, including cellarage, woods, stills, plant, buildings, boilers, etc., probably exceeds £1,000,000. The average annual production of wine on the Areas is estimated at approximately one and three-quarter million gallons.

Marketing of wine grapes on the Areas is controlled by the Wine Grapes Marketing Board for the Shires of Leeton, Wade and Carrathool, consisting of five elected representatives of producers and two Government appointees.

There are six distilleries, which have contributed to the Commonwealth revenue excise duty averaging over £132,000 a year for the last five years.

Co-operation is a prominent feature of the Areas. It plays a very important part in the dried and fresh fruit industry; also in the canning industry.

The success of co-operative effort is shown by the increase in the quantity of citrus handled by co-operative organisations on the Mirrool section of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas, which, in 1927-28, was 54,600 bushels, and now exceeds an average of 400,000 bushels per annum.

The sales turnover of the Leeton Co-operative Cannery for the past five years has averaged over £1,000,000 a year.

In addition to the wineries and processing industries carried on by co-operative societies, enterprises established on the Areas include a proprietary cannery (at Griffith), three fruit pulping plants, eight fruit-packing houses, and gypsum mines.

A large amount of private capital is invested in other industrial concerns, shopping establishments, etc.

The Areas are well served by three important railway lines, there being seventeen railway stations and sidings.

The railway revenue resulting from the establishment of the Areas amounted to about £670,000 for the year 1947-48.

A large measure of co-operation in the administration of the Areas is achieved by the settlers’ organisations, the Research Station of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research at Griffith, the Department of Agriculture, the Rural Bank and the Commission.

Committees representative of all interests concerned are engaged in research, and the education of farmers in irrigation practice, proper cultural methods, and the important matter of drainage.

Extension groups have been formed in several parts of the Areas, field days are arranged, and practical demonstrations are given. Advice to settlers is also given by radio talks and articles in the local press.

Facilities provided by the Department of Education comprise— the McCaughey Memorial Agricultural High School at Yanco, which provides a general secondary education with an agricultural background; a high school at Griffith; an intermediate high school at Leeton; twenty-four primary schools serving all parts of the Areas, with technical college classes in certain subjects at Leeton and Griffith. There are also four convent schools. The total enrolment of children is over 4,000.

Local Government was inaugurated early in 1929 at both ends of the Areas, the Wade Shire Council for the Mirrool Area and Leeton Shire Council for the Yanco Area.

Electric current for town lighting is supplied to the Councils by the Commission under agreement, although the power-house at Yanco is operated by the Department of Public Works. The Commission also supplies current to over 3,91 6 households, businesses, etc., including a majority of the occupied farms. The total length of the Commission’s transmission and reticulation mains throughout the Areas is about 400 miles, and the approximate length of service mains is 100 miles. The undertaking meets all charges for interest, depreciation and working expenses. Bulk supplies are given to the Municipality of Narrandera and the village of Whitton under agreement with the respective Councils.

The estimated population of the Area is almost 21,000. Approximately 9,500 reside on the Yanco Irrigation Area, the centre of which is Leeton, and I 1,500 on the Mirrool Irrigation Area, the centre of which is Griffith.

About 140 new dwellings were erected on the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas during the year 1947-48.

The Coomealla Irrigation Area is situated on the Murray River about 9 miles from Wentworth upstream of the Curlwaa Irrigation Area and adjacent thereto.

It comprises about 35,450 acres, of which, so far, only 4,185 acres have been subdivided into irrigation farms, etc., the total area under occupation being 3,439 acres at the 30th June, 1948. The balance, including the undeveloped portion, has been leased on short terms for grazing.

Land settlement on the Coomealla Area, as in the case of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas, comes within the provisions of the Crown Lands Act. The Area is constituted under the Irrigation Act, 1912-1946, and from time to time land has been made available for disposal by way of purchase in fee simple (freehold) or perpetual lease. The purchase money or annual rental, as the case may be, is stated in the Government Gazette notifying the land available for application.

The perpetual lease tenure may be converted to freehold at a price equal to twenty times the annual rental, in the case of farming lands, and at market values for town lands, etc., irrespective of permanent improvements in all cases.

The charge for water, which is pumped from the Murray River, is £3 per acre of irrigable area per annum, and holders are entitled to 2i acre-feet per acre per annum in five rotations. (Water rights are allotted to irrigation farms on the basis of two and one-half water rights to each irrigable acre.)

Reduced charges are made during the first four years in the case of horticultural holdings and the first two years in the case of residential holdings.

The estimated total value of production for the year ended 30th June, 1948, was £268,089, including exchange on dried vine fruits exported. The chief products are dried vine fruits and citrus.

Local Government services are provided by the Wentworth Municipality, in which the Area is included.

The Coomealla Irrigation Area is to be extended to provide about 100 farms for ex-service men. Surveys for these farms have been completed and preliminary work for the construction of irrigation works is in progress.

The Curlwaa Irrigation Area consists of 10,550 acres and is situated on the Murray River near Wentworth close to the junction of the Darling River.

At the 30th June, 1948, the area of irrigated holdings occupied •was about 2,144 acres, and of non-irrigated holdings occupied about 6,776.

Lands within the Curlwaa Irrigation Area are dealt with under the Wentworth Irrigation Act, 1890. Tenures for irrigated farms are usually leases for thirty years, which may be converted to purchases at a price to be agreed on by the Commission and the purchaser, or, failing such agreement, at a price determined by the Special Land Board, subject to appeal to the Land and Valuation Court.

Water rates are £1 per acre of irrigable area per annum, with a general rate of 14s. per acre per annum on the area in each farm suitable for the planting of fruit trees and vines. The general rate is subject to alteration from time to time. Every lessee of an irrigated holding is entitled to receive 2\ acre-feet of water per acre per annum.

Arrangements may be made for the supply of water to non-irrigated holdings at special rates under certain conditions.

Water is pumped from the Murray River and five or six irrigations are given through the season as required.

Production consists of citrus, dried vine fruits, deciduous fruits and fodder crops, the total estimated net value of which was £130,457 for the year ended 30th June, 1948.

Local Government services are provided by the Wentworth Municipality, in which the Area is included.

The Hay Irrigation Area situated on the Murrumbidgee River near the town of Hay and deriving its supplies by pumping from the river, consists of 6,806 acres, of which about 1,044 acres are occupied as irrigated holdings under thirty year leases, or permissive occupancy, and 5,187 acres are leased for varying terms as non-irrigated holdings.

Lands within the Hay Irrigation Area are dealt with under the Hay Irrigation Act, 1902, as amended. Tenures for irrigated farms are usually leases for thirty years which may be converted into purchases at a price to be agreed on by the Commission and the purchaser, or fading such agreement, at a price determined by the Special Land Board, subject to appeal to the Land and Valuation Court.

The charge for water to settlers for the season 1948-49 is 25 s. per acre per annum. Each lessee of an irrigated holding is entitled to receive two acre-feet of water per acre per annum.

The main industry is dairying and the total value of production for 1947-48 has been estimated at £1 7,950.

“ Tulla ” Estate, formerly part of the Wakool Irrigation District, has been resumed by the Closer Settlement Board. The Tulla Irrigation Area, comprising part of the resumption, embracing 16,593 acres, was constituted by notification in the Gazette of 27th June, 1947, under the provisions of the Irrigation Act, 1912-1946.

Fourteen farms were made available as mixed farms, including rice growing, for settlement by members or ex-members of the armed forces and have been allotted as permissive occupancies.

Applications for leases of ten new farms were invited by notification in the Gazette of 29th October, 1948. Leases will be for three years, and the land will later be granted to the lessees as perpetual leases.

WORKS UNDER THE WATER ACT, 1912-1946.

The Commission administers the Water Act, 1912-1946, in respect of water supply, water conservation, irrigation and artesian wells. The Act vests in the Commission for the benefit of the Crown the waters in rivers and lakes in the State of New South Wales.

Part II of the Act sets out the powers of the Commission and provides for the diversion of water by private landholders under licence.

Part III provides for the constitution of trust districts for domestic and stock water supplies and irrigation.

Part VI provides for the constitution of districts for domestic and stock water supply and irrigation.

Part VII provides for the constitution of districts for flood control and irrigation.

Part VIII empowers the Commission to provide sub-soil and surface drainage in irrigation areas and districts, and water trust districts, etc.

Part III of the Act. in providing for the constitution of Trust Districts for domestic and stock water supplies and irrigation, empowers the Commission in respect of any District so constituted, to construct, acquire, or utilise, or partly construct, acquire or utilise, the necessary works.

The completion and cost of such works are notified in the Government Gazette and the work is then handed over to Trustees to administer. The Trustees are elected by the occupiers of the land included in the Trust District and a representative is appointed by the Commission. The Trustees are empowered to levy and collect rates covering the cost of the works repayable to the Crown by instalments over a term of years plus the interest on such cost, and the expense of maintenance and administration.

The rate is struck on a per acre basis and assessments are issued according to the area of land held which benefits from the works. Rates vary in different districts according to the cost of the works, maintenance and administration, and in the constitution of each Trust a maximum rate which may be assessed is fixed.

The following is a list of the Trusts at present constituted:—

WATER TRUSTS—OTHER THAN IRRIGATION.

Murray River:	Area of Trust District. Acres.
Tuppal Creek . . . . . . . . . .	78,080
Bullatale Creek .. . . . . . .	68,320
Little Merran Creek .. . . . . . .	157,440
Poon Boon . . . . . . . . . .	32,985
Minnie Bend Flood Prevention . . . , . .	2,190
Murrumbidgee River:
Yanko, Colombo and Billabong Creeks . . . .	1,001.210
Lachlan River:
Torriganny, Muggabah and Merrimajeel Creeks . .	1 70,240
Condobolin West Weir . . . . . .	4,480
Marrowie Creek . . . . . . . .	295,040
Ulonga . . . . . . . . . .	71.655
Micabil Weir . . . . . . . . . .	11.500
Miscellaneous:
Algudgerie Creek . . . . . . . .	9,760
Nidgery Creek . . . . . . . . . .	46,880
Great Anabranch of Darling River . . . .	995,200
Collarenebri Water Supply . . . . . .	88

Of the beforementioned trusts, thirteen have been formed for the provision of water for domestic and stock purposes, one for a town supply and one for flood prevention.

In most cases the notification of constitution of a district provides that the rate to be charged for water supplied for domestic and stock use during the period from the time when water is first supplied to a holding to the 30th June next following, is half the maximum rate as shown in the foregoing schedule.

	Area of	Water	Maximum Rate.
	•Land	Rights.
	Benefited.	*	Domestic
			and	Irrigation.
			Stock.
Murray River—			Per acre.	Per ac.-ft.
Wakool District (works completed) ..	415.513	33,520	id.	10/-
Berriquin Provisional District (works
almost complete) .. .. ..	607,801	57.618	id.	10/-
Deniboota Provisional District (works
in progress) .. .. .. ..	303,064	23,935	id.	10/-
Denimein Provisional District (works
not vet commenced) .. .. .	140,850	11,240	id.	10/-
fjernargo Provisional District (works
not yet commenced) .. .. ..	130,850	t	2d.
t Barramein Provisional District (works			, f~_r f 1
not yet commenced) .. .. ..	88,651			._H„
Murrumbidgee River (works complete)—
Benerembah District .. .. ..	121,555	12,862	id.	10/-
Tabbita .. .. .. .. ..	5.631	670	id.	10/-
Wah Wah Provisional District ..	557,512	3,755	3d.	10/-
Gumlv Provisional District . . . .	324	196	(See text	for charges)
Lachlan River (works complete;—
Jemalong District ......	158,106		id.	10/-
Wyldes Plains District .. .. ..	52,329		id. & 2d.
Total......		152.546

* At 30th J unc, 1948. t For domestic and stock purposes only.

X Holdings will be added to the Bcrriquin District. Action is now in hand to allot water rights.

It is also provided that reduced rates, commencing at a maximum of 4s. per acre-foot, shall be charged to holdings for water supplied for irrigation during the first three years after a supply is first made available to a holding.

In nearly all cases the Commission is empowered to £:: rates lower than the maximum rates notified in the’ Gazette.

The principal development at the present time is in connection with the use of the New South Wales share of the River Murray Waters conserved in the Hume Dam. The area on which these waters could be distributed by irrigation in New South Wales amounts to about 5,000,000 acres, but water will not be available for the whole of this large area. It is intended that water will be used for fodder crops, sown pastures, and for stock and domestic' purposes.

Water is diverted from the Murray River at Mulwala, upstream of the Yarrawonga Weir, through a main canal serving the Berriquin and Wakool Districts. The canal has been constructed for the first 75 miles of its length, which will be about 100 miles when complete. So far as the Wakool District is concerned, the Mulwala Canal supplements the supply from the Edward River, an effluent of the Murray.

The flow capacity of the Mulwala Canal at its offtake from the Murray is about 5,000 acre-feet per day. It will serve the Deniboota District, and other districts, for which works have still to be constructed, as well as the Berriquin and Wakool Districts, now supplied through this waterway.

The works in the Wakool District consist of a concrete weir across the Edward River I 5 miles from Deniliquin, together with about 340 miles of distributing channels and necessary structures. The District contains 205 holdings, and the average proportion of land to be developed for irrigation is about one acre in thirteen.

As a temporary measure, to meet enhanced demands for rice owing to conditions brought about by the war, the Commission undertook the development of a rice project in the Wakool District, and planted over 4,000 acres for each of the three years 1944, 1945 and 1946. The project was then discontinued, but provision has been made in the Tullakool Irrigation Area, recently established in the same locality, for water to be supplied for rice-growing by ex-service men (see page 25), and the Commission has also arranged to supply water for rice-growing to certain landholders in the Wakool District for the time being.

For the 1947-48 season the quantity of water supplied for irrigation was 32,638 acre-feet and the area irrigated was 30,497 acres, planted to pastures, fodder crops, cereals, or consisting of natural pastures or fallow. Sheep raising is the main industry in the District.

The works required for this District, including the main canal, which takes off from the Murray River at Yarrawonga Weir and is known as the Mulwala Canal, are almost complete. This district comprises 760 holdings.

Water rights are allotted on the basis of one water right to every three acres of the total area of a holding except for some of the larger holdings, where the proportion is less.

The quantity of water supplied to holdings during the 1947-48 season was 90,732 acre-feet and the total area irrigated was 93,720 acres. Crops watered are similar to those irrigated in the Wakool District.

Sheep raising and wheat growing are the main industries, but the prospects for dairying are considered very favourable, and a butter factory has been established at Finley.

The Deniboota Provisional District, of about 303,000 acres, lies between the Wakool and Berriquin Districts, and will be served from the Mulwala Canal by a pipe syphon passing under the Edward River. The number of holdings is 147. Construction of works for this District, including an extension of the Mulwala Canal, about 185 miles of distributing channels, and the necessary structures, is in hand.

Other districts constituted, but not yet in operation, comprise the Denimein Irrigation District (seventy-nine holdings), to the west of and adjoining the Berriquin District, the Barramein Domestic and Stock Water Supply District (six holdings), west of the Denimein Irrigation District, and the Jemargo Domestic and Stock Water Supply District (forty-nine holdings), north of the Berriquin District. These Districts will be served by extensions from the channels of the Berriquin District. The channels and structures for the Denimein District have already been commenced, and those for the other Districts will be put in hand when conditions permit.

The Gumly Domestic and Stock Water Supply and Irrigation District, near Wagga, was constituted on the 15th August, 1947, and comprises forty-two holdings of a total area of 324 acres, to be supplied with water for vegetable growing and domestic and stock use by pumping from the Murrumbidgee River.

The charge for water for irrigation will be £6 15s. 8d. per water right, and £3 7s. 1 Od. per acre-foot for additional water.

The charge for water for domestic and stock use not exceeding 50,000 gallons per annum will be £2 10s., with a reduction to £1 5 s. for the first period ending 30th June, in which the water is supplied; additional water will cost 6d. per 1,000 gallons. Works will be put in hand as soon as possible.

At the 30th June, 1948, the Benerembah Irrigation District embraced forty-nine holdings. Rice has been grown in the district during the year 1942-43 and subsequent seasons, but the main industries are sheep raising and wheat growing.

The quantity of water supplied during the season 1947-48 was 45,005 acre-feet, and the total area irrigated was 40,019 acres. Crops watered included 3,174 acres of rice, besides other cereals, summer crops, pastures, vegetables and lucerne. The average proportion of land developed for irrigation is about one acre in ten.

Some subdivision has taken place since the district was constituted and the number of holdings supplied with water has increased.

The Tabbita District contains six holdings. During the 194748 season, 1,921 acre-feet of water were supplied and the area irrigated was 1,380 acres, including rice and other cereals, pastures and lucerne. The average proportion of land developed for irrigation is about one acre in ten.

As in the case of the Benerembah District, rice was grown by some of the landholders during the year 1942-43 and later seasons as a temporary measure, to meet an enhanced demand for rice brought about by the war, but the main industries are sheep raising and wheat growing.

The Wah Wah District consists of ninety-six holdings. Only in the eastern part of the district is water supplied for irrigation. Most of the holdings are supplied for domestic and stock purposes only. In the holdings supplied for irrigation, the averaged proportion of the holdings so developed is about one acre in twenty.

The quantity of water supplied to landholders during the season 1947-48 was 13,563 acre-feet. The total area irrigated was 12,905 acres, embracing cereal crops (other than rice), pastures and lucerne. The main industry is sheep raising.

The adjoining districts of Jemalong and Wyldes Plains consists of 101 holdings. The total area of the two Districts is about 225,000 acres.

The works comprise a diversion weir on the Lachlan River about 15 miles west of Forbes, a regulator on Jemalong Creek, about 180 miles of channels for the reticulation of the water to each holding, and the necessary structures such as bridges, culverts, etc.

Water is supplied to holdings in the Districts for domestic and stock purposes and the irrigation of a part of each holding. Water rights are attached to each of such holdings on the basis of one to each twenty acres except in respect of large holdings where the allotment is less.

The quantity of water supplied to landholders during the season 1947-48 was 4,508 acre-feet, and the total area irrigated was 7,795 acres.

Crops watered included wheat and oats, pastures including lucerne, and summer fodder crops, besides natural pastures. The main industry is sheep raising, but mixed farming is undertaken on some holdings.

The Lowbidgee Provisional Flood Control and Irrigation District of approximately 375,000 acres was constituted by notification in the Gazette of the 9th February, 1945, under the provisions of Part VII of the Water Act. It is the first district so constituted under this new part of the Act and its purpose is to provide for flood irrigation of approximately 140,047 acres of pasture lands on the lower Murrumbidgee River by water diverted from Maude and Redbank Weirs. The total area of the sixty-five holdings included in the District is 367,090 acres. The number of landholders is fifty-four. Construction of the necessary works is now in progress. Water will not be released from Burrinjuck storage, or from any other artificial storage to supplement the flow in the vicinity of Maude Weir, or of Redbank Weir, for the purpose of enabling flood irrigation within the District.

Another District situated north-west of Moree, and comprising 272,800 acres, was constituted as the Medgun Flood Control and Irrigation District on the 16th November, 1945. Works for this District were completed in 1947.

The provisions of Part II of the Water Act empower the Commission to authorise the diversion of water from rivers or lakes by landholders for the irrigation of individual holdings under licence or permit, or for private irrigation schemes under authority. The necessary licence, permit or authority is issued for a period not exceeding ten years on payment of a fee calculated on the area of land authorised by the licence, permit or authority to be irrigated by means of the work.

Permits are issued for shorter periods than those for which licences are issued and the fees are less. They are intended for works for mining and other purposes of a temporary nature, and for irrigation of an area not exceeding ten acres.

Licences may also be issued for other purposes than irrigation, such as stock water supply, generation of electric power, industrial and mining purposes, etc.

An occupier of land on the bank of a river or lake need not apply for a licence if he wishes to use the water only for domestic purposes, for watering stock or for irrigating a garden, not exceeding five acres in extent, used in connection with a dwelling-house, where the produce of the garden is not offered for sale.

The number of licences in force at the 30th June, 1 948, was 4,748. Of these 3,768 were issued for the purpose of irrigation, and to serve a total area of 165,130 acres. The number of permits in force was 49.

During the last few years there has been a great increase in the number of works licensed for the diversion of water for all purposes, and particularly for irrigation. This increase has taken place more particularly along the coastal streams, and also in the Murrumbidgee and Lachlan River Valleys, where it may reasonably be ascribed to the regulated flow of these rivers from the storages at Burrinjuck and Wyangala.

However, the provision of these storages has not altogether solved the problem of water supplies, as restrictions have had to-be placed from time to time on the use of licensed works. Additional storages are required and will be constructed as funds are made available, and the necessary technical staff, labour and plant can be detailed for the purpose.

In addition to the Water Trusts and Districts which derive their supplies from diversions from rivers or their effluents, there are eighty Bore Water Trusts and twelve Artesian Wells Districts constituted under the Water Act, and deriving their supplies from artesian bores.

The Bore Trusts are administered by Trustees in the same way as the Water Trusts, but in the Artesian Wells Districts the settlers maintain the drains themselves. Charges are assessed by the Land Board and may not exceed the yearly value to each occupier of the direct benefit accruing to his land from the construction of the artesian bore and from the supply to the said land of water from the bore.

The total area of the Bore Trusts Districts and Artesian Wells Districts is approximately 5,000,000 acres, and the water is distributed to the holdings comprising the districts through open earth drains, the total length of which is about 3,300 miles.

The Water Act empowers the Commission to sink new artesian bores, to improve the supply from existing artesian bores by deepening or cleaning out and/or to construct additional drains or other works of benefit to landholders.

The Commission may also issue licences under the Water Act for the construction of artesian bores by contractors for private landholders, and has general control over the use of artesian water with the object of preserving, as long as possible, the efficiency of the bores already in existence and of compelling the partial or complete closing of bores where water is running to waste.

At the 30th June, 1948, the total number of artesian bores in New South Wales, excluding failure bores, was 894 and the total estimated daily flow about 62,376,998 gallons. The flow is decreasing and the question of making better use of the flow, or of supplementing it by surface water supplies from head storages, is being investigated, as staff and funds can be made available for the purpose.

The sinking of sub-artesian bores for settlers by the Commission was inaugurated in the latter part of 1912, and the first bore commenced on the 30th January, 1913. Settlers are allowed to repay the cost over a term of years, and reduced charges are made for bores which do not yield serviceable supplies of water. The scheme has been a successful one both from the viewpoint of benefit to the individual settler and to the State as a whole.

The Commission has recently purchased eleven new high-speed diesel-powered boring plants and another three are on order. They are the most modern type procurable and compare favourably with anything in use for similar purposes in other parts of the world.

In addition, those plants which are operating in remote parts of the State Eire now equipped with radio-telephones, thus enabling an operating efficiency to be maintained that was not possible when the nearest telephone to a boring plant was many miles away.

The total number of bores sunk to the 30th June, 1948, was 4,040. The average depth of these bores was 294 feet.

It is necessary for any person who desires to have a bore sunk by a private contractor to a depth of not less than 1 00 feet to apply to the Commission for a licence under the Water Act, if the bore is to be sunk in any part of the State west of direct lines drawn from Albury to Tamworth, Tamworth to Bingara, Bingara to Inverell and Inverell to Bonshaw.

A licence is also to be obtained before any existing bore in the localities mentioned can be enlarged, deepened or altered to increase the flow of water therefrom.

Two thousand three hundred and ninety-five such licences have been issued up to the 30th June, 1948.

The Farm Water Supplies Act, 1946, empowers the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission to assist land owners in the provision of water supplies on individual farms or groups of farms for domestic, stock or irrigation purposes; it enables farmers to obtain advances in money so that they may have works of water supply carried out, either by themselves, by a local contractor, or by the Commission, as may be most convenient.

The Commission will, whenever necessary, inspect the farm in the first place and will give advice as to the possibilities of increasing or providing storages and other matters. The Commission will examine any schemes or proposals advanced by the owner, and if it be decided to proceed with the work the Commission will determine the amount of the advance to be given, if any, and the conditions under which payments may be made.

The Rural Bank (Irrigation Agencies Branch) will make the payments decided on by the Commission and collect repayments of principal and interest from the landholder.

(e) elevated tanks, pipe lines and troughing, with the necessary fittings, for domestic and stock supplies;

(f) design of layout and preparation of land for irrigation— either by channels and furrows or by spray irrigation outfits.

Up to 28th February, 1949, about 1,600 enquiries for advice have been received from landholders, and over 1,300 inspections made by the Commission’s field staff. It is expected that an increasing number of rural landholders will take advantage of this service as materials for establishing water supplies become more readily available.

Country headquarters have been established at Grafton, 1 am-worth and Cootamundra, and officers located at Dubbo and Moree are also available to undertake this work.

Full information regarding the assistance available under the Farm Water Supplies Act is contained in a pamphlet entitled “ ? Enough Water,” copies of which may be obtained on application at any of the Commission’s offices.

The Rivers and Foreshores Improvement Act, 1948, provides for the carrying out of works for the improvement of rivers and foreshores by two constructing authorities, f.e., the Minister for Public Works in respect of tidal waters and the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission in respect of non-tidal portions of rivers.

The works are to be carried out by the constructing authorities by arrangement with the owners of lands to be benefited by the works, and where the works will benefit considerable areas of private lands, river improvement districts may be constituted for the construction, operation and maintenance of the works.

The constructing authority may impose rates and a contribution from landholders in respect of lands benefited by the works of a district.

In other cases Local Government Authorities or private landholders may be asked to contribute to the cost of works.

The first work undertaken is by the Tumut Shire Council, on behalf of the Commission, to improve the course of the Tumut River by removing overhanging and fallen willow trees, bank protection by the construction of timber groynes and the cutting of a new channel for the river through a large island of shingle.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF WATER CONSERVATION AND IRRIGATION IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

None of the rivers of the State, other than the Murray, Murrum-bidgee and Lachlan, is regulated by large head storages constructed for general water conservation, although some streams have dams or weirs, built for town water supplies, or to serve some particular locality. The Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission proposes to conserve water in streams not hitherto regulated, and to carry out works to serve landholders, chiefly for domestic and stock purposes, but also for irrigation, where the water supply is sufficient for the purpose, land is suitable for irrigation and capable of being irrigated.

To complete this work will take some time. It has already commenced, but the rate of construction must depend on the funds, technical staff, workmen, plant and materials which can be made available.

Construction of large dams at Keepit on the Namoi River, Glenbawn on the Hunter, Burrendong on the Macquarie, and a balance storage on the Lachlan River at Lake Ballyrogan is now proceeding. The latter work will, it is anticipated, be completed during 1949.

The programme of development comprises the construction of works over a period of some fifteen years at an estimated cost (when planned) of about £30,000,000, and contemplates the provision during this period of some eighteen dams and storages, eight diversion weirs, flood mitigation and river protection works, shallow and deep boring. In addition, weirs are proposed on the River Darling and some other rivers, including coastal streams. The construction of the first two of thirty-five weirs proposed for the Darling is now in progress and sites for others have been fixed.

Some thirteen Districts are proposed (under the provisions of the Water Act) for the supply of water for domestic and stock purposes, and the irrigation of a portion of such holdings as contain soils suitable for irrigation. A further seven districts may be constituted for the supply of water for domestic and stock purposes only.

The total quantity of water impounded by the new storages will be about 5,500,000 acre-feet, and the total area of holdings served for domestic and stock purposes may be upwards of 20,000,000 acres. The area irrigated however, will possibly not exceed 1,500,000 acres.

Under the provisions of the Rivers and Foreshores Improvement Act, 1948, the Commission proposes to undertake works for the improvement of the Hunter River upstream of Belmore Bridge, West Maitland, to control bank erosion and siltation. The estimated cost of river improvement on the Hunter will be considerable, may reach £500,000 and take ten years to complete.

The Commission also proposes to carry out an inland and coastal streams, as continuing service, works to control river flow and remedy or prevent bank erosion, siltation, etc.

In carrying out this plan for post-war development, the co-operation of the Forestry Commission and the Soil Conservation Service with the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission will be a very important factor in its success, and the operations of all three will be of reciprocal benefit.

(Prepared by the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission, Farrer Place, Sydney, New South Wales.)

Points of Information

^Na*VPo,'

WATER CONSERVATION AND IRRIGATION IN NEW SOUTH WALES

WATER CONSERVATION AND IRRIGATION IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

WATER CONSERVATION WORKS—HEAD STORAGES.

Murruntt),

River

WORKS UNDER THE WATER ACT, 1912-1946.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF WATER CONSERVATION AND IRRIGATION IN NEW SOUTH WALES.