that understands it. The surveyors cannot go through and classify it; local knowledge is necessary. So far as cropping in this district is concerned, I consider that farmers do not work their land sufficiently, and this accounts for the poor returns often obtained. They should do more cultivating and harrowing. Further, I consider that superphosphate alone is not good enough for this country. I believe in mixed manures, such as bone dust. Superphosphate tends to fetch up the salt. I noticed after I left off using super, by itself that I got better results.

(The witness retired.)

WILLIAM JOSEPH TRELOAR, Farmer, Boyup Brook, sworn and examined:

10799. To Mr. PAYNTER: I have been in this district 25 years. I have 1,300 acres of which 1,000 acres is freehold and the balance conditional purchase. It is three miles from the railway, all fenced, and 400 acres are cleared fit for ploughing. It is equipped with the necessary buildings and home. I have only a small orchard for my own use. I have a full plant for working the land, and carry on an average 500 sheep, 18 horses, and 20 head of cattle. This is the full carrying capacity of the land. I grow feed for my stock principally. I have grown a little wheat for sale. I put in crops for hay, wheat and oats. I suppose the average return in the matter of wheat would be 12 bushels, and say one ton of hay. I have been using superphosphate and Thomas's phosphate at the rate of 70lbs. per acre. I started with about £400 capital. My chief line, of course, is sheep.

10800. To Mr. VENN: I do a little dairying, and consider this is a dairying district. If we could get lime for the cultivation of lucerne. Thomas's phosphate is, I consider, the best manure for the district only it is unobtainable now. I am satisfied that, with a supply of lime, it would be a very fair dairying district. I feed my cows all the year round. I find it is profitable for the reason that they use up the fodder that I grow. So far I have not tried ensilage. More people are going in for dairying here, but I am afraid it will get a setback this year as hay is going to be dear.

10801. By Mr. PAYNTER: What class of cows have you?—My cows are no particular breed. There is a good deal of the Jersey in my herd, although I do not like the Jersey. I have a Holstein bull at the present time, and I believe that the bigger cattle will do better in this district.

10802. To Mr. VENN: I do not think that the merino sheep are more profitable than the crossbred. I am going in for the English sheep in future.

10803. To Mr. PAYNTER: I estimate that the cost of clearing, so that you can plough, is 30s. per acre. This is not complete clearing of course. I generally clear straight out. My country is nearly all blackboy. So far as the classification of land is concerned, it is all right for the good country, but the inferior class of country is priced too high. I consider it should almost be given away.

10804. Are there any other matters you would like to bring up to the notice of the Commission?—With reference to education, in many places we are badly off. It is generally considered that children should be taught agriculture in our State schools. Personally I am opposed to it. In my district we have eight schools, and only one male teacher. Women cannot teach agricultural subjects. I consider, on the other hand, that it would be better to have more competent teachers in the country districts. Young girls cannot control children properly.

10805. Mr. Venn explained that the department had advised the Commission that a number of their male teachers had gone to the war, that they were doing their best, and in normal times more male teachers were employed in the country.

10806. WITNESS: A meeting was held of the Farmer's and Settlers' Association here, and a resolution was passed suggesting that telephone communication should be better in the country districts. It is a serious handicap to farmers to be without it.

10807. By Mr. PAYNTER: What acreage do you consider a man should hold in this district in order to make it good?—At this meeting it was considered that 300 acres were sufficient for a man to hold. He would require to go in for a few sheep, dairying and fruit, although personally I do not consider that the fruit industry is going to be a very great thing.

10808. To Mr. VENN: I was one of the first settlers in this district, and so far as new settlers are concerned. I am afraid they are having a pretty bad time. I refer to those on the newer country. The land is poor. In the matter of labour the wages paid are a difficult problem for the farmers, and if anything can be done to improve the labour conditions it will be a great advantage.

10809. To Mr. PAYNTER: We have no medicial man in this district. The nearest doctor is at Bridgetown, 20 miles away, and there is no district nurse. Settlers must consider that it would be a good thing to strike a health rate, to be collected by the roads board, by which a nurse could be supplied and medical attention provided. In cases of confinement, it means that women have to go long distances away, and the expense is very great. With reference to the Roads Board Act, I consider that the pound for pound subsidy should be reinstated. I would prefer this to the government taking over the main roads. I consider also that all permanent reserves should be vested in the roads boards. We have control of them by trustees, but they are not vested in the roads boards, and this, I consider, would be the best means of control.

(The witness retired.)

WILLIAM RALPH SPENCER, West Brook, Newbieup, sworn and examined:

10810. To Mr. PAYNTER: I have been 22 years in this district. I had previous experience of farming. I have 2,500 acres, of which 260 acres are freehold and the balance grazing lease. I am 22 miles from Kulikup. The property is fenced and 200 acres is ploughable. I have the necessary buildings, house, three acres of orchard planted to mixed varieties of fruit, a full working plant, and carry about 300 breeding ewes, 25 horses, 25 head of cattle, and five or six pigs. I started with £200 capital. I came from 40 miles south of Adelaide. I use my land for