10479. Do you go in for fruit trees?—I grubbed up about 20 acres. I am not too fond of orchards. I had 10 year's experience of an orchard, and when the prices went down I got out. It is pretty hard for a man with stock to run an orchard.

(The witness retired.)

ROBERT HENRY ROSE, Farmer, sworn and examined:

10480. To the CHAIRMAN: I have been about seven years where I am now, although I was born in the district. I hold 524 acres of freehold land. I am half a mile away from the railway station. I inherited 270 acres, and the balance I purchased. The purchased land cost me £10 an acre for one block; the other was cheaper land, it cost me 32s. 6d. All my land is fenced, and about 250 acres are cleared, It is well equipped with buildings. I carry about 400 sheep, 20 to 30 cattle, and 20 horses. I carry up to 700 or 800 sheep. I have 800 now. I also go in for potato growing to the extent of 50 to 60 acres per year, and get two crops. I grow about 30 acres of hay. I go in for stud stock. I have 150 Romney breeding ewes; I also have Yorkshire pigs. I have three sows and a boar. I milk seven to 10 cows all the year round. I have been successful at the shows with my pigs. I got 20 guineas at the Royal Show for a sow that I bred myself. The Romney Marsh locally bred compare favourably with the imported. I have been able to sell more than I can breed. The local sheep have taken prizes against imported stock. At the Royal with Romneys of my own breeding. Romneys do very well in this district.

10481. By Mr. VENN: What is the highest profit per acre you have made out of potato growing?—About £70 to £80 an acre clear profit. The year before last I averaged about five or six tons to the acre and sold for £14. This year I had a very heavy crop, but the price is very low. I got an average profit of £20 from the two crops. It costs about £20 to £25 to put in and take off a crop of potatoes.

10482. By Mr. CLARKSON: What would you say was a fair average crop for the district?—Taking the two crops, about four tons. You get a much heavier crop in the summer than in the winter. Last year I took just under £1,400 worth of potatoes off 30 acres, and they went down to £6 a ton.

10483. Have you any grievance here at all?—We are not interfaced with by Government schemes here.

10484. By Mr. VENN: Some time ago the Government had in view the establishment of an irrigation scheme here; were you in favour of it?—No. I can grow potatoes in summer without irrigation. Irrigation has been tried and has been a failure. I can get heavier crops without irrigation than with it. All these flats will hold the moisture well if the ground is worked properly. It costs about £15 an acre to clear those flats, and after potato growing we find that the carrying capacity has been improved. The trouble is that with irrigation the couch beats you.

10485. By the CHAIRMAN: Are there any men settled on small blocks about here?—There are a good many men along the river on acres of about 30 and 35 acres. They are doing very well out of fruit and potatoes.

10486. By Mr. CLARKSON: Is there any land available for selection about here?—Not that I know of. The Government bought 3,000 acres some time ago, and that is lying idle. About a third of it is good land. They could grow one crop of potatoes there. This estate is part of the Westralian Timber Estate. There has been no move in the direction of subdividing it. That is what has held this place back. This land would be about a mile from the station.

10487. What is the balance of that land outside the 1,000 acres most suitable for?—It is good grazing country, and dairying could be carried on there.

10488. By Mr. VENN: What is the highest hay yield in the district?—Craigies grow three tons of hay to the acre. Their land grows clover well.

10489. In subdividing an area, what do you consider should be the minimum size of blocks?—There should be nothing under 200 acres.

10490. Is there a greater inclination on the part of people at the present time to take up dairying?—Yes. Potato growing is getting very uncertain. and they are not going in for dairying.

10491. Do you find that pea growing is profitable?—Yes; I can fatten 10 to 15 sheep to the acre on a good crop of peas.

10492. What is your experience of subterranean clover?—It does well with me. I have not gone in much for lucerne. Couch on the whole is very hard to keep down. Maize grows well. I have seen it 14 feet high.

10493. By the CHAIRMAN: Have you any difficulty in regard to obtaining suitable manures for potato growing?—Manure costs £9 15s. a ton, and even then it is inferior.

10494. Has any complaint been made on that score to the Agricultural Department?—I do not think so.

10495. Are you well satisfied with your position as a mixed farmer, handling this relatively small area?—Yes.

10496. By Mr. VENN: What did you clear in potatoes last year?—About £700 with two crops.

10497. By Mr. CLARKSON: Have the Agricultural Department experts been of any use to you in your operations?—I have never heard much about them.

10498. By the CHAIRMAN: Have you experienced Irish blight?—I have been fortunate. I have not had it on my crop, but there has been some on the heavy soil.

10499. By Mr. CLARKSON: Have you grown onions?—No; but some of the people about here get pretty good crops.

(The witness retired.)

ALBERT AARON MULDOON, Farmer, sworn and examined:

10500. To the CHAIRMAN: I have been established for 21 years on the land I occupy in this district. I have 350 acres of freehold, and I am adjoining the railway station on one lot: the other lot is about a mile away. The land is all fenced, and 200 acres are cleared. I have sufficient houses and buildings on the property. I have 22 horses and 45