here is at East Dalwallinu, 20 miles away, while the nearest doctor is at Goomalling. I have not kept a rain gauge, but I should put the average rainfall at 12 inches.

6388. By Mr. CLARKSON: How much of that would fall in the growing period?—Not more than about eight inches, but we often get summer rains in January and February. We have had them in November, but the rain usually falls after Christmas. This year I have 350 acres under crop, 60 acres fallow. I fallowed 200 acres for the 1914 drought. As compared with the other land, the fallow this year is far and away superior. I have 50 acres of Federation which will give 18 bushels. The highest yield I have had only averaged 12 bushels over the same area, or rather over 30 acres less.

6389. Do the early or the late wheats give the best results?—There is not much difference. Federation did not do much good last year. I had Lotts and Steinwedel last year, but Lotts was the best crop.

6390. How many bushels must you get to pay expenses before you get anything for yourself, that is what are your working expenses and depreciation on plant?—If I could get £150 to £200 clear I would be all right. I expect about 2,500 bushels from my next crop. I want an average of eight bushels to pay me. Bulk handling would considerably reduce costs. Last year I myself carted to the siding. I take it that we would have to have special wagons for bulk handling. Farmers' implements should come in free of duty. If there were some scheme under the I.A.B. by which my liabilities were funded and I was given five to 10 years in which to repay my indebtedness, I could carry on without any further assistance very well indeed, and I would much prefer that method.

6391. To Mr. PAYNTER: My crop has never had any disease. I pickle, but do not grade my wheat. I have not tried artificial grasses or fodder crops. I have, however, tried fruit trees, but they were not a success. With a little manure vegetables thrive. I do not keep pigs, but I should like to and I keep only enough poultry for my own use. The ordinary rate of wages is 30s. to 35s. and keep, and at harvest time 40s. and keep. Sometimes the labour is unsatisfactory, but generally speaking, the men average over 12 hours a day. I think in this district a man should have 2,000 acres at least if he is going to succeed, and single-handed he should be able, with the best methods and a little help during the harvest time, to handle 350 acres. It would be an excellent idea if the farmers would co-operate for the purchase of their supplies and the sale of their produce, but the problem is a difficult one. Nevertheless I should be glad to participate.

6392. Do you think the present land laws are calculated to attract people to the land?—I do not agree to having to pay the rent straight away. There should be an exemption for five years at least, otherwise there is nothing to complain of in the land regulations.

6393. To Mr. VENN: I greatly wish to go in for sheep, but I cannot say if the land will carry them. The grass, if the land is broken up, ought to carry 500 sheep on 2,000 acres. If I could get a tank put down I should feel quite confident about it. It would be a great asset to the State if the Government would supply settlers with stock on extended terms, and it would be a great advantage to the small farmer because, no matter how bad the seasons are, he would have a little wool to fall back upon; but I am not in a position to say yet that sheep would do well here. I have not seen any dingoes for three years. They seem to have gone further east and north. They would have to be fenced against, but of course I could not look at wire netting now on account of the price. I think that decent living accommodation should always be provided. My small place cost me £50. It is a couple of weatherboard rooms. I have heard that batt houses are the best, but I have not seen one. If the Agricultural Bank would allow a man £40 or £50 to build he could make that go a long way towards comfort.

6394. By the CHAIRMAN: Have the departmental experts been of any assistance to you since you have been on the land in direction of advice as to methods, seed, and other essentials?—No. I have not seen anybody from the department, but I have had one or two of their pamphlets, and I am sure many settlers do not know that these are issued. Sometimes I think this district is too far away. In the growing period we have only about eight inches and 12 inches altogether in the year. Therefore, we should make it a rule to fallow.

6395-6. To Mr. CLARKSON: I should say the actual working hours a day would be about nine altogether, and in winter not so much. In summer men work longer and often stripping till sundown, but for a man on his own it is not easy to get into the field that much before 10 a.m. It is, however, obvious that on farms the eight hour day cannot be observed. I do not consider ploughing to be hard work nor harvesting. It is merely a question of hours. Personally, I would prefer to shift my quarters to land further inside civilisation if I could. There are only seven or eight settlers hereabout, and it would be a wrong policy that induced further settlement here. There are no old settlers and there is no accurate rainfall data. We are actually experimenting at our own expense. If I had started on a partly improved place five years ago I would be in a good way now. There should be an experimental farm run by the Government to see what the district is capable of and if proved a failure the settlers should be brought back and given equally valuable land in a different district.

(The witness retired.)

ALFRED FREE, Manager for Mr. Hyde, P.W.D., Perth, sworn and examined:

6397. To the CHAIRMAN: I came into this district in October of last year and saw Mr. Nelson's crop off, and on the 1st March took Mr. Hyde's place on. The total acreage is 870 odd. A portion of the property was cut off from a public dam.Then the Government sunk the dam at Buntine, and so we have the run of this dam for nothing. There are over 400 acres of forest land, and the balance of the property is sandplain. It is just a mile from the railway station and the whole of it is fenced. With regard to water supply, we are paying 1s. 6d. for 200 gallons of water at Buntine. I have sunk a dam of 1,000 yards, but no rain has yet fallen to fill it. We have a stripper, winnower, and plough and cultivator, a dray and a set of harness, four draught horses, and one pony. There are 225 acres under crop this year, and 41 acres cleared beside.