house. I have no stock except eight working horses and 22 pigs.

11062. Why do you not keep any stock?—Sheep require fencing, and I do not go in for cattle, as butter at less than 2s. 6d. will not pay.

11063. By Mr. PAYNTER: Can you tell us what your returns are from your orchard?—Yes, it is in full bearing. I sold 500 cases last year at 2s. 6d. per case, and ploughed at least 200 cases into the ground.

11064. Is your orchard profitable then?—My living is obtained from the proceeds of the orchard, fowls, and from wine-making. I get very good returns from the vines, and make about half of the fruit into wine.

11065. Have you anything in particular to place before the Commission; any difficulties to contend with?—Labour is a great trouble. 1 man at 10s. per day will not return 10s. in the way of labour. Although I am living on the proceeds of the farm I cannot say it is paying me. I am in debt with the Agricultural Bank £200, and I started here with £1,000 capital. Another thing I should like to say; there are too many bogus experts engaged in advising people in the farming industry. In regard to the State farms, I have purchased pigs from that source which were supposed to be Berkshires, and I am satisfied that there is not a single Berkshire pig on the farm. In regard to railway facilities, I went to the station-master at Picton Junction and asked if I might book a ton of peaches at parcels rate by the train leaving Picton on Sunday evening, as I had to get them away by that train to prevent their becoming over ripe. I am the largest grower in the State of one of the best varieties of peaches. He said no, although I offered to pay the wages of the guard and engine-driver. We have only two trains per week to carry perishable fruit to the market and on account of this I have had to hawk these peaches round Bunbury and sell them at 8s. per case, about half their value. If I could get my perishable fruit sent away at parcels rate I would be prepared even to pay the wages of the guard and engine-driver, to have it placed on the train, but they will not carry it. In regard to the Brunswick State farm's orchard, this is a burning question with the people in the South-West. Some people are of opinion that the trees on the farm at five years old show a fair growth, but I can show better growth on my own place in three-year old trees. Marketing is certainly a great difficulty, and the only prospect I have at the present time is that I shall have to plough my fruit in as I did last year. This is occasioned by the difficulties of marketing between the grower and the consumer. Soft fruits need to be urgently handled.

11066. What is the variety of peach to which you refer?—The Triumph, which ripens November I may say that wine is the only thing that pays me now. Another unfortunate thing is that as soon as a farmer gets a good place going someone comes along with survey instruments or some plan or other for the lay-out of schemes, with the idea that they are going to confer a benefit on the farmers. It is to be hoped that the farmers will benefit. They propose to drain South Bunbury, and I am of opinion that by this means they will drain the water from our swamps.

(The witness retired.)

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