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IRRIGATION IN AUSTRALIA. After extensive inquiries prosecuted by Mr. Deakin into the systems of irrigation of California and India, an agreement was concluded in 1887 between the Government, of which Mr. Deakin was a member, and the Messrs. Chaffey, by which the latter acquired 250,000 acres of land on the river Murray. The principal points in the agreement were as follows:  A licence to occupy 50,000 acres for the term of 20 years. Crown grants of this land to be issued to the Messrs. Chaffey at the rate of one acre for every 5l. expended on irrigation works and permanent improvements on ordinary land and for every 2l. expended on land subject to flooding.

A licence to occupy a further area of 200,000 acres of land, Crown grants on this being issued at the rate of one acre for every 1l., expended on improvements and for a payment to the Treasury of a further £1 per acre.

A total sum of 300,000l. to be expended by licensees and their assigns within 20 years.

The licensees not to be allowed to sell more than 80 acres of fruit-growing land or 160 acres of agricultural land to any one person, or to retain in their own hands more than 5000 acres of irrigated land.  It has been asserted that the Government drove a hard bargain with Messrs. Chaffey. It was clearly favourable to the former. If the scheme were carried out in its entirety, the Government would receive 200,000l., or 16s. an acre, for land which but for the expenditure of the licensees was practically worthless. 209