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V QUESTION* In ths opinion of "the Las Vegas Land & Water Company and the State Engineers Office, do they think that the water supply is getting so oritical, that we should go look for other sources of water? because we find a decrease in the productive capacity of our wells. Let me cite an instance — In investigating the City of Long Beach, which obtains its water from underground sources — I remember years ago on the Montana Ranch, some 8,000 acres just out of the city **•* the City of Long Beach was then quite a small city. They bought a strip of land from the Montana Ranch Company and another oompany, and obtained an adequate supply of artesian water. Their elevation was 'Such it could carry it by gravity. The engineer told me a short time ago that their draw down is 170 feet. They are still doing deep pumping. can say, until they have completed their recharfis work in the mountains - until we have produced a well where water does not flow, we cannot say that there’s not sufficient water. We may have a considerable increase in population. We • are warning you of the disturbing elements as we see them, and it is going to take some very thorough and careful study, and for a period of time it will not be possible to express a positive opinion. Am I not right? of Commerce has gone to great lengths and a lot of expense to advertise this area, and when this application was objected to we became alarmed. We wanted to find out if there was not a sufficient water supply, and if not, to go to work and make progress towards getting it. mental principles they are all the same — they can be depleted, and cannot usually be brought back. Las Vegas has been blessed with one of the best artesian basins in the country. There are over 450 wells drilled in this area, and still we have water. As Mr, Strong has stated, we cannot say as to whether or not it has reached a oritieal stage but we are somewhat worried. The faot of this protest had nothing to do with our investigation. This was started a long time ago because we realized that we have, sooner or later, to know the answer. Now, its true that every gallon conserved can be used for beneficial use, and we feel that would be one of the major points that this group should undertake. For instance, if by the putting in of meters in the City of Las Vegas, we can save two or three million gallons of water from going to waste, it can be used to fur­ther develop this area. We have been assured by the Water Company that if meters are put in,that the supply will take care of homes. We know that with a flat rate, and no limitations, people will allow water to run to waste, and it is not used for beneficial use. Too much water is allowed to run on the lawns in town — swimming pools are allowed to overflow. There oould be many conservation measures taken that would conserve the available supply. Nevertheless, as Mr. Smith stated, it would be good business to look into municipal ownership, MR. HOCWER* I find one conclusive statement, and that is, this are*, has enough water to probably supply 25,000 population, - supplied by the Las Vegas Land & Water Company, Now, from other statements, the hydrostatic pressure has been greatly reduced, the flow has been reduced — we have had conservation of water the past few years of two to three million gallons a day. The impression is that we are in a critical situation so far as increased usage of water is MR, STRONG* We don’t know. We are calling for the utmost conservation I am not going to say, and I don’t think Mr. Smith and Mr. Shamberger QUESTION* The main thing this Body is interested in is — The Chamber MR. SHAMBERGER* The history of artesian basins, and in certain funda-conoemed. (17)