Price, when administered the Goldfields Water Supply, wrote a minute on the file I have just quoted from, the following being an extract:- I cannot see any satisfactory method of supplying these districts without rating powers. At a conference in 1911 presided by officers of the Public Works Department, of the Agricultural Department, and the Goldfields Water Supply Administration, it was decided to Adopt 8s. as the limit of prices.

8547. What time of the year was that?- About two months before the change of Government.

8548. Was that a conference held between the officers of the departments and the consumers?- Between departmental officers only. It was further decided to prepare plans showing the area within which Mundaring water could be supplied at that average price, also that beyond those limits Mundaring water should not be supplied. I would refer the commission to W.S. File 3181/15. I produce file 267/17 dealing with roof catchments, and refer to the Under Secretary's minute of 7/3/13 and the consequent publication and circulation of the table for furnishing information on the subject to farmers generally. This illustrates the consideration given in the interests of the farmers to the possibilities of alternate supplies.

8549. By Mr Venn : Is that Mr Oldham's report?- That is one of his reports.

8550. By the CHAIRMAN : Mr O'Brien referred to exhaustive inquiries he made in regard to roofing catchments and lining and covering tanks?- I have that report here also. Officers have held the view that a matter of more importance than a price per thousand gallons is the amount of the total annual payment for which a farmer may receive a supply that will meet his stock and domestic requirements, and that if enough water for this purpose can be supplied at an annual cost of £21 13s. 4d. per thousand acres, the farmer, particularly in districts where the rainfall is light and uncertain, receives a benefit of far greater value to him than the amount he has to pay. It has been shown that the matter of the possibility of obtaining cheaper supplies from other sources has always been kept prominently before the Government and before applicants for the extensions of the water mains. Before the extensive system of reticulation north of Bandee and Merredin was decided on, exhaustive reports by two principle engineers (Mr O'Brien and Mr Oldham) on the possibilities of alternative means of supply were presented to the Minister. These reports, made independently of each other, both showed that Mundaring water is cheaper than any other in that region, Besides having an incalculable advantage in regard to quality, reliability and convenience. I put in the file. The report of Mr O'Brien shows that surface conservation is considered impracticable except with rock catchment. This relates only to districts north of Bandee and Merredin. In regard to roofing in catchments, Mr O'Brien estimates that the storage for 50,000 gallons would cost £600 and that the annual cost would be £60. That is on a years supply. If it was a two years storage he estimates the capital cost at £950 and the annual cost at £95. The engineer for agricultural areas estimates that a storage for 94,000 gallons would cost £742 and that the cost per annum would be £52. He has estimated, for surface catchment tanks of 2,000 cubic yards capacity, a capital cost of £390 and an annual cost of £23 4s. That annual cost comes very near the annual cost of the Mundaring water, but it is unreliable because there is no guarantee that a 2,000 gallon tank would fill, or would carry over enough water from one year to another. Recently a delegation from districts south of Merredin saw me in Perth and placed a request for a lengthy extension in that district.

8551. Was that recently?- Within the last two months. Mr Griffiths, M.L.A., introduced the delegation and Mr Teasdale was one of the members. In reply to questions each of the gentlemen present averred that he was fully satisfied it was well worth his while to obtain Mundaring water in preference to any other. One gentleman had tried roof catchment and tanks on an extensive scale, but had failed. Another said that the Mundaring supply would involve him in an annual charge for rates of over £60, and he was assured that it would pay him handsomely besides removing the necessity for extensive water carting which faced him under any other arrangement. This is typical of discussions which have preceded practically every one of the larger extensions. The following statements will illustrate the manner in which the settlers themselves pressed for the provision of a piped supply. This goes back to 1911 and relates to the agitation for an extensive reticulation scheme in districts south of Kellerberrin. Kellerberrin has been the centre of protests which have been made against the present system of rates and charges. This is an extract of a minute by the Under Secretary of the Goldfields Water Supply dated the 9th October, 1911:- On Saturday, the 7th inst., I attended a large meeting of settlers at Kellerberrin convened to consider the water question. An area extending back for many miles was represented. Committees are strenuously working to make up the guarantees, but the settlers desire above all things, that the Government should start the work and charge them afterwards. They were unanimously in favour of a rating system. This is an extract of a letter dated 14-10-11 on page 42 of File 3349/15, from the Secretary of the East Kwollyinn Progress Association-- I am writing in furtherance of our application for the extension of the Goldfields Water Supply though our district. The earnest of our want is shown by the quickness the guarantees were handed in, and we hope the new rating will not be allowed to keep things back. I doubt if there is any district in the agricultural areas where the wished for extension is more needed. This is a note of an interview which took place between the Under Secretary of the Goldfields Water Supply and the East Kwollyinn residents of the 28-9-11, File 3349/15-- Messrs. Soutar and Small called regarding the No. 3 proposal. They stated there is no doubt at all the required guarantees would be forthcoming. Mr Small said he had figured it out the water would mean an increased profit to him of £300 per annum. The settlers had determined to have the water, whatever the cost might be.