THE WATER AND LIGHT SERVICE The service which supplies Nyngan with water and light is provided by the Muncipial Council and is thoroughly modern and efficient. Water was first supplied to the town on a communal system, about 1895, at a cost of £9000. A steam plant was supplied by the firm of R. T. Ball (now Minister for Lands in the Bavin Govern­ment) and the necessary pumps were established on the banks of the Bogan River, and for very many years, from this point, the town received an adequate supply. In time, however, the town grew beyond the capacity of the steam plant. More water reticula­tion was wanted and there was a general demand for electric light. Early in the Mayoralty of Mr.H. Evatt the problem was attacked. The Bogan River water is an uncertain quantity, and Mr. Evatt, with his eye on what has been done in adjoining towns, hoped that artesian water might be available. A bore was put down in the park to a depth of 508 feet, but no water was found. Nyngan, unfortunately, is just outside of the artesian basin. Only 30 miles away there are flow­ing bores. So Nyngan had to pin its faith to the Bogan River, and the new supply system was designed ac­cordingly. Motors (two-each of 51 h.p.) run­ning on crude oil were established in a plain build­ing behind the Town Hall. The electric current which they generate lights the town and also drives the centrifugal pumps two miles away, down on the river bank, where one pump will lift 9500 gal­lons per hour and another 5500 gallons per hour. The pressure from the pump is conveyed straight into the mains, where there is a pressure of 60 pounds. All water not required to keep up that pressure, that is, the overflow, after consumers' needs have been met, goes into the reservoir tanks. The new system of supplying water and electricity came into operation in August, 1926. The old steam engines are still in position on the river bank, ready for use in an emergency. The Nyngan Council, back in 1903, tried to light the town by acetylene gas, and a plant was installed. The service was not a success and was soon discon­tinued.