APPENDIX No. 3. Report Of Agricultural Railways Advisory Board on proposed Esperance -Norseman Railway. FROM MESSRS. H. F. JOHNSTON AND JOHN MUIR TO THE HON. THE PREMIER. Sir,— With reference to the proposed Esperance-Norseman Railway, after a further inspection we beg to advise you as under:— (1.) The country traversed for about four (4) miles inland is good coast grazing land, interspersed with more swamps suitable for market gardening and the production of root crops. (2.) The balance of the country traversed up to about 30 miles in the line of direction consists of poor sandy gravelly land. (3.) The average annual rainfall at Esperance , covering a period of 27 years, taken from the meteorological records, is 2,559 points, while the average annual rainfall for 11 years at the 30-mile condenser is 1,767 points, which gives a general average for the first 30 miles of 2,163 points. (4.) From the 30-mile stage, and thence on to 75 miles from Esperance, the proposed line would run continuously through the mallee belt. This belt of country comprises approximately an area of 45 miles north and south by 65 miles east and west or nearly 3,000 square miles, making a total area of 1,872,000 acres, two-thirds of which the land classifiers, Messrs. May and Hewby, estimate to be good for wheat growing, viz., 1,248,000 acres. (5.) To develop the whole of this, branch lines going east and west will be necessary. (6.) Along the proposed line through the mallee belt for 15 miles on each side of the proposed railway an area of 864,000 acres of land would be served, out of which it is estimated there are 576,000 acres of wheat land. (7.) The statement hereunder gives the average annual rainfall, and also the average rainfall during the months of April to November (both inclusive) for Esperance, th3 30-Mile, lake View, and Norseman, from which it will be seen that at the 30-Mile (or southern edge of the mallee belt) the averages are, annual 1,767 points, and winter 1,474 points, and Lake View (92 miles) annual 1,163 points, and winter 890 points. From this data it can reasonably be inferred that in the mallee belt (i.e., between the 30-mile and 75-mile) the mean annual and winter falls are 1,465 points and 1,182 respectively. Place.-Period.-Years.-Annual Average.- Average April and November. Years.-inches.-inches. Esperance.- 27.- 1883-1910.- 25.59.- 22.32 30-Mile.- 11.- 1900-1910.- 17.67.- 14.74 Lake View.- 8.- 1903-1910.- 11.63.- 8.90 Norseman.- 14.- 1987-1910.- 10.34.- 7.93 (8.) From the 75-miles to Norseman (at about 125 miles) the country traversed is composed of good forest land, with occasional patches of granite and scrub, and numerous salt lakes. (9.) The average annual rainfall at (Lake View) 92 miles is 1,163 points, while at Norseman it is 1,034 points. This stretch of country, that is, the belt traversed between 75 miles and Norseman, is consequently a doubtful proposition for wheat growing from a rainfall point of view. (10.) From an agricultural point of view we consider that at present it would be sufficient to construct a length of about 60 miles of railway from Esperance in the direction of Norseman, following generally the main road. This 60 miles of line is estimated to cost £1,700 per mile including water supply, making a total cost for the whole length of £102,000. (11.) One great difficulty which presents itself in respect to the exploitation of this belt of mallee country will be the provision of a water supply for settlers. Practically the whole of the district proposed to be opened up is a waterless area, the physical conformation of the country being gently undulating with very few distinct watercourses traversing it. The soil is of a very porous nature, and apparently absorbs the rain almost immediately it falls. The salt, too, as far as can be judged from the few tanks already constructed in the district, is close to the surface. This difficulty, however, we do not consider by any means insurmountable. (12.) We may state that this large extent of wheat growing country— some 1¼ million acres— is the greatest area of wheat land, as far as we know, at present in the State in possession of the Crown with so good a rainfall. (13.) We recommend the construction of a railway northward from Esperance for a distance of some 60 miles, and when necessary branch lines extending east and west. We append hereto:— (a) A map showing probable route of railway and classification by Messrs. Hewby and May. (b) Copy of report by Inspectors Hewby and May. (c) Copy of report by Mr. Surveyor Watkins. We would draw your attention to the fact that, as an agricultural Railway Advisory Board, we have confined our remarks solely to the agricultural prospects of the proposed railway. HARRY F. JOHNSTON, JOHN MUIR, Members of Agricultural Railways Advisory Board. 17th March, 1911 REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN (Mr. W. PATERSON) TO THE HON. THE PREMIER. As I am not wholly in accord with the report which recommends the construction of a railway 60 miles in length towards Norseman, to exploit what is termed the mallee belt, I must of course give reasons to justify, in my opinion, why my signature is not attached. As one of the Agricultural Railway Advisory Board, I must satisfy myself that the land to be operated on to warrant a railway must be reliable wheat growing country., as on a wheat basis only are railways justified in dry areas. The Inspectors. Messrs. Hewby and May. who classified most carefully (under very arduous and trying conditions) 3,000 square miles of this mallee land on which there is no natural feed or water, were