NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1443, 17 March 1873, Page 4

NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

[FROM Otfß OWN CORRESPONDENT.] March 12. It might naturally have been expected that after the long drought the Government would have beeu fully alive to the importance of preserving as much water as possible, and making it useful on the high leveis that no water at present commands, or likely to command till some action is taken to turn the large fiat country at the top of the second left-hand branch of the New River, above German Gully, into a reservoir, Public rumor points out this locality as being the placft which will cure one of the greatest ills that is so prevalent in the district — the want of water, of which there cannot be too much. Increase the water and the population will multiply. There is not a shadow of a doubt that with a moderate outlay a quantity of water could be stored for a large population, and enable them to work ground that is now impracticable. Referring to the last Government map, Wilson's race is marked, and 600 feet. This is the race that takes the water out of the flat, and as the County Council is now in session it would not involve a large expenditure of money if they were to authorise their Engineer io report on the quantity that could be stored here, the expense of building dams, and the terraces the watar would command. It is a matter of public necessity that this spot should no longer be loaf sight of, for if action is at once taken there mi (ht be a prospect of some of the money set aside by the Assembly for water-races being made available for the work. It is contended that it is the duty of the County Council to get information on this matter, as the whole country would benefit by it. The only point that there may be any doubt of in the matter is the height of the Arnold water-shed and the quantity that could be backed up to it. The flat extends back to this shed, and it just amounts to the question of relative heights to determine the quantity of water, and none but professional men could settle that satisfactorily. It appears that there are two where dams could be erected, and all that is wanted is reliable information,, and this it is the duty of the County Council to obtain. Common report says that the largest of these dams would not be more than four or five chains between two spurs that would back water in a flat that extends for three or four miles. Surely, then, if this is correct, it ought at once to be turned into some public use.