however, care to venture an opinion about the question of price.

(The witness retired.)

WILLIAM ERNEST BOLD, Town Clerk, Perth, sworn and examined:

10048. By Mr. CLARKSON: We have taken evidence in connection with the advisability of establishing central markets in the metropolitan area, and we understand that the Council has already taken steps in that direction. We would like you to make a statement telling us how far you have gone in the matter, and giving us any information that might be of assistance to us in that direction?—So far, I can tell you very little. At the present time we are at the stage of taking evidence, and we apprehend that we shall be taking evidence for some considerable time to come because the question is a big one, and a special committee of the Council, now engaged on the matter, naturally wants to obtain the fullest information before presenting a report to the Council. As you are aware, the policy of the Scaddan Government was to establish Government markets, and they resumed land in the Marquis Street area for that purpose. The Council took up the position about two years ago that municipal markets should be established, and they approached the then Minister, Mr. Johnson, on the question. He submitted the matter to Cabinet and Cabinet decided to proceed with the Government market scheme, and declined to listen to the municipal proposal. When the Wilson Government assumed office, they practically laid down their adhesion to the principle of local control of local concerns and the Perth City Council interviewed the Premier on the market question, amongst other things. Three months ago we received a letter to the effect that the Government had approved of the idea of municipal markets in Perth on the understanding that terms would be subsequently arranged, and stating that they would be glad to receive suggestions from the Council as to how they desired to proceed. The Council then appointed a special committee to go fully into the question, and to furnish a report. The committee have been engaged in taking evidence and their labours have not yet been concluded. I am afraid, at this stage, I cannot say anything more. I do not think it should be very long before the committee have finished their investigations.

(The witness retired.)

The Commission adjourned.

WEDNESDAY, 4th JULY, 1917. (At Perth.)

Present:B. L. Clarkson, Esq. (in the Chair.) H. H. Paynter, Esq., | F. E. Venn, Esq.

FRANK TREACY, Goods Agent, Railway Department, Perth, sworn and examined:

10049. By Mr. PAYNTER: What are you particular duties?—To supervise the general receipt and delivery of goods and the working of the yard generally in the despatch and receipt of trains.

10050. Have you sufficient louvred vans?—Not if the growers of fruit required one for every truck load. There is not a noticeable difference in the condition of fruit arriving in covered vans as against that of fruit in louvred vans, because most of our fruit arrives in the cool of the evening. In the despatch of fruit to the goldfields, we always use louvred vans. These vans are being continually fitted up. The newest type is a bogey, classed as V.A., which is to all intents and purposes sufficiently louvred for the fruit traffic.

10051. Do you deal with claims for the loss of goods carried at "Commissioner's risk"?—We forward claims to the Chief Traffic Manager, who deals with their payment or refusal. There are two rates, "Commissioner's risk" and "Owner's risk." Under the one the Commissioner takes responsibility for the proper receipt and delivery of the goods; under the other the consignor takes the risk.

10052. In face of the fact that you sign for delivery?—Yes.

10053. Does "owner's risk" absolve you from all liability?—Yes, unless there is wilful neglect.

10054. Have you a sufficient supply of sheets?—The demand for these is continually fluctuating. At present we are loading a lot of flour at country stations for Fremantle, and, consequently, there is an urgent demand for sheets. To meet that, we have to rob other goods as they come in and are put under shelter. Our difficulty is in getting sufficient sheets sent down by passenger trains to cover the open trucks so that the flour may not suffer in transit.

10055. The complaint has been made that sheets have been taken off trucks of super.?—We do not handle super. at my depot. The consignments we strip are under shelter sheds. When a truck of super. is run into a country siding, we cannot afford to allow the sheets to stay on it after a given time, when the responsibility is on the consignee. We are increasing the supply of sheets as fast as we can obtain the material.