Francis James Hornsby, Mistletow Farm, Balbarrup, sworn and examined:

10972. By My Paynter: We have obtained quite a deal of very satisfactory evidence already in respect of this district and I should like to know whether you have anything in particular that you want to bring to the notice of the Commission? I wrote to the Agricultural Bank on the 18th September last asking them for a loan. ON the 16th November I asked them again and they replied that my case had been overlooked. On the 22nd they sent me a form and asked me to send one per cent and they advised that an inspector would come along. I have heard nothing further from them. The inspector has not been. I wrote to the inspector and asked him to let me know when he was coming to Manjimup. I have heard nothing from him either . 10973. To Mr. Venn: I am satisfied with my prospects here, if I can only get a little assistance. I bought an improved place and I brought 16 heifer calves from Perth. I consider I have an ideal place for dairying.

10974. BY Mr Venn: What was the amount of the loan you applied for? I only applied for £100.

10975. To Mr Paynter: I have 360 acres of land, homestead and C.P. There were two acres cleared when I went there and I have cleared 16 acres since. I wanted this Bank money in order to put feed for the calves, and they have suffered for the want of this since. My calves with the exception of two have developed rickets which would not have occurred to them had they been properly fed. I consider what is wanted is a local advisory board. I consider also that where they get hold of good men they should do their best to keep them on the land.

(The Witness Retired.)

Ludwig Kochner, farmer, Manjimup, sworn and examined:

10975a. To Mr Paynter: I have been here five years. In the first two years I started to improve my land then my money was all gone and I started to look for work. I am now in trouble, as I cannot get work. Last year I went to many places looking for work, but I obtained none. I am a naturalised German. No one will give me work. The German settlers even, will not help me, and my rent was due last September. (The witness was very much distressed for the reason that he considered the Government would turn him off his land. The Commission explained that it would be advisable for him to write to the department describing his position and as far as they were able to do so they could assure him that it was not the practice of the Government in such circumstances to take away a man's property, provided he was willing to fulfil the conditions.).

(The Witness Retired.)

Clarence William Mottram, Farmer, Manjimup, sworn and examined:

10976. By Mr Paynter: We have obtained a great deal of very reliable information in respect to the district, and I would ask you to make a statement instead of going though the usual course of questioning. I wish to bring to the Commission's notice the possibility of this district for dairying. My father and I have been here for 40 years and are convinced that dairying is the industry for which this district is adapted. We have 200 acres, of which 50 acres is fit for the plough. We have 500 breeding ewes and 18 cows. Our cows are milked eight months of the year without artificial feeding. The land is generally moist and suitable for the cultivation of pastures. Sheep do well, provided they get a change of country. I think that anything that can be done to encourage dairying in this district will be assistance well applied. We have been dairying for four years and our average returns are 25s per cow per month. Our cows were brought from Victoria, and bought in Perth. They are not the best of cows and with really good stock, we could do much better.

10977. By Mr Venn: What is your opinion of the new settlers here? -They are battling well, and are worthy of assistance.

10978. Are there any serious disadvantages here? - Yes, labour is very hard to get. We, however, do all our own work.

10979. Where do you dispose of your cream? - We send it to the Bunbury Butter Factory.

10980. Do you find railway facilities sufficient? - Yes, The railway service is satisfactory. There was a difficulty here in respect to the railway officials refusing to load the cream cans, although they seem to have thought better of this. We are 14 miles away and the guards often complain about putting the cans on the train. There should be a guarantee that the guards will see that the cream cans are put on to the trains because it is impossible for us at this distance to remain at the station and see to it ourselves, as sometimes the train is late, and we have such a long distance to go.

(The Witness Retired.)