The following is an extract from a letter from the Secretary of the Southern Brook Progress Association, dated 21-12-08, on File 3349/15— I am directed to forward you a copy of resolution carried at the meeting held on the 12ins., "That this meeting requests the members for the Province, Northam, and Newcastle districts to urge the Government to amend the Act of the Goldfields Water Supply so as to allow for reticulation of agricultural districts from Loan Funds under the rating system if necessary." The following telegram was received from Mr J.H. Royal of Goomalling dated 11-12-11, on the same file— Farmers unanimously support with rate 4d. expect petition completed in a few days. The engineers of the department, notably Mr. Reynoldson, formerly chief engineer, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Weller, and Mr. Parr have given a very careful amount of attention to and made investigation regarding the problem of making water available to farmers within reach of branch mains by the most economical means. As a consequence of the conference in 1911 and the general investigations that were carried out it was arranged, with regard to the comprehensive scheme of reticulation then contemplated to take the branch mains out to such a distance that the average cost and price of the water throughout would be 8s. That is to say, that though the actual cost, if calculated at the end of each mile might be, say, 5s. near the offtake and 12s. at the terminus, this striking an average would enable all the consumers to get water at 8s. This enabled a much larger area to be brought within the limit of economic supply than would have been the case if the system of average had not been adopted. The 8s. price was in 1912 reduced by the Government to 6s. and this increased the rate allowance for a farm of one thousand acres from 54,000 gallons to 72,000 gallons. In a minute to the Premier, dated 18-9-11, the Minister for Lands and Agriculture stated— I should like a scheme to supply all the farmers in the new districts with water. It may be pointed out that they have not gone to any great expense as yet and are willing to contribute as far, I understand, on a basis of something approaching £20per thousand acres.." At the time of the conference in 1912, which was convened for the purpose of inducing the Government to reduce the rates and prices. Mr Heitmann said— For the last two months he had been carting water and it cost him considerably more for carting than it would to pay the rent. He took it that the water rate would be an insurance against dry summers. He was willing to pay 8s. Mr Everett said— He went to Yorkrakine nearly four years ago, and if the water was laid there not a man but would be willing to pay 8s. Many a man carting water took 15 to 18 hours to obtain 170 gallons, and there was wear and tear of the horses.

8552. By Mr. PAYNTER : At present you do not encourage applicants to irrigate except, say, for small lucerne patches?- We do not discourage them; if they come along and pay the price we them the water.

8553. What is the price now?—The 9d. and 1s. applies to irrigation, that is flooding. We have no applications for that. But if there are applications for water supplies for fruit trees and Lucerne patches, and so forth, we give them that. I have a list of all the irrigation services that we have, and the amount of water used. This is for the year 1915 and if it is of any use I will put it in; 1s. 6d. per 1,000 gallons is the irrigation price east of Northam and 1s. 4d. per 1,000 gallons west of Northam. We have a lot of so called irrigation services in the towns of York, Toodjay and Beverly. We give them fairly cheap water. York is 1s. 6d., Toodjay 1s. 6d., Beverly 1s. 8d.

8554. By the CHAIRMAN : That is for keeping gardens alive? Yes, and fruit trees. If a man applies for a service for that we make an estimate of what he will probably use, and we say then that these irrigation prices apply only to what he uses in excess. If this document is of any use I will put it in.

8555. I do not think so?—Settlers already served, however, and large numbers seeking reticulation supply have declared strongly in favour of Mundaring water, even in many cases in the better watered districts. Apart from its economic value, the benefit from a health point of view is very appreciable, as practically all local supplies, and more particularly rein water, become more or less stagnant and impure during the summer months. The assurance against drought which this supply provides is also a great advantage. many farmers have assured the officers of the Administration that it means, or would mean, the difference between keeping and not keeping a flock of sheep on their holdings. We have been assured that this will mean a very large increase in the productive value of the land. The great convenience of having water under pressure laid on to house, stables, and paddocks, also tells strongly in favour of the "Scheme" supply. The increase in standard of comfort at homesteads served from this source is very marked. Setting all the advantages against the proposed charge of about £21 per 1,000 acres leaves in practically every case a large balance in favour of the consumer. Even those who have privately made considerable provision for water conservation will, it is confidently anticipated, reap so many benefits in extra comfort and convenience that the outlay in water rates will be found to be money well spent. However, the intention to continue investigations into possibilities of local supplies, together with the proposed arrangement of carrying the reticulation only into districts declaring by petition in favour of it, will fully protect any community from having this system forced on it against the wishes of the majority of residents. Statistics re agricultural services ; The total number of holdings served is 843, from 30ins. main 179, from guaranteed extensions 220, from rated extensions 373, from York, Beverly, Toodjay, and Goomalling mains 71. The revenue, therefore , is £15,000, equal to £17 18s. per holding. The total acres served is 730,000, equal to about £20 10s. per 1,000 acres. This includes excess. The total area rated is 584,000 and the yearly rate £12,630, which equals about £5 per acre, or £20 18s. per 1,000 acres. In these figures I have only taken into account the portions of the holding we rate. Agricultural extensions : the deficit in 1915-16 was £700. Except for some extensions put in urgently to avert a water famine in 1914, the whole