THE IRRIGATION PROBLEMS OF THE NILE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2652, 11 January 1905, Page 14

T HE IRRIGATION PROBLEMS OF THE NILE.

One of the most important documents hitherto issued concerning Egypt and the Soudan says (Page's Magazine) is the report which has been drawn up by Sir "William Garstin, G.C.M.G., Under-Secretary of State for Public Works in Egypt, upon, the Basin of the Upper Nile. After the most careful investigation, he discusses the works which he considers necessary in order to conserve the waters of the Nile and to control the entire "river. Incidentally, he advises the formation of a properly organised irrigation service of the Soudan. It is laid down very clearly that the flow of" the Nile must remain always and absolutely in the hands of on« authority. The proposed irrigation service should be entirely controlled by the- Ministry of Public Works in Egypt, and should, in fact, form a branch, of that department. Sir William Garstin is nothing if not thorough. Consequently, he first takes us 1 to the region of the great lakes, and in the course of a general description we learn all that has been ascertained within recent years as to the source of the Nile. He is, | of opinion that in the fulness of time the' Albert and Albert Edward Lakes will disappear, but long after this the Victoria Lake will remain the great reservoir for the true source of the waters of the White Nile. Describing the Fola rapids, Sir William writes: — "These rapids constitute the most formidable obstacle to the flow of the Nile in the whole of its course between the Albert Nyanza and Khartoum. It is doubtful whether in the cataracts between Shabluka and Asman any such demonstration of the force and power of water is to be seen. Below the f^lls the stream rushes down an extremely narrow gorge with a very heavy slope, enclosed between vertical walls of rock. This can best be compared to a gigantic mill-race or water-slide 100 metres in length. The water tears through this channel in a glassy, green, sheet witii an incredible velocity. ' The width of this ' gut ' is nowhere more than 16 metres across, and in places it is less! What the depth of the water may he it is impossible to say. At the foot of this race the river leaps into a deep cauldron or pot, which it fills with an apparently boilmg mass of white water, lashed into foam, and affording a remarkable example of the rage with which water attacks any serious obstacle to its course. The length of this oauldron is only 50 metres, but its width is not more than 12 metres! Immediately below this the channel widens out to some 30 metres, and eventually more, while the river thunders down, in a series of rapids, for a considerable distance. On either side of the channel are vertical walis of rock from 7 to 10 metres above the water. These rocks are polished like black marble, and stand uip in vertical ribs, indicating how severe must h«ve been the dislocation of the strata at the time when, they were originally forced to the surfaoe. In many places they are hidden by masses of vegetation, and creepers hang down, in graceful festoons, forming a curtain resembling green velvet. The island and river > banks are covered with a thick growth o£ mimosa trees. The inky blackness of the. rocks and the variegated greens of the foliage contrast vividly with the seething mass of white water, above which the spray is tossed high in the air in a misty cloud. Above all a deep blue sky and a brilliantly clear atmosphere add to the effect of an exceptionally lovely scene. In the distance, but a long way down stream, the pointed peaks of the Kuku Mountains form an, effective background to this enchanting picture."

Those, continues the writer, to whom the privilege shall be granted of assisting towards this consummation will have a chance given to them such as seldom falls to the lot of man. To rescue the Upper Nile from the marshes in which it has lost more than ihalf its volume ; to control and regulate the great Equatorial lakes, makmg them add! to the flow of the river at will ; to causa the waters of the Blue Nile to rise and irrigate the fertile tracts through which they pass; to secure to Egypt a constant anct sufficient supply for the entire area between the cataracts and the Mediterranean; to free that country from the ever-present; danger of a disastrous flood — these are tasks worthy of comparison with any previously, recorded in the world's history, and which*,if successfully accomplished, will leave behind them a monument that will probably endure long after all evidence of those erected by an earlier civilisation shall hay©' passed away.