2nd Progress Report - Part 2

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This transcription is complete

is doing well. Wright and several others are also doing well. They are under a good man, Scott. They go in for dairying and root crops.

11651. Is the area big enough?—I think 50 acres if irrigable land will keep a man very busy.

11652. By the CHAIRMAN: Are the blocks help by each soldier contiguous?—Not in all cases. A man may hold a block in one position and another some distance away. They were set apart in this way by the old board, which no longer exists. They ceased to exist when Mr Willmott became Minister. He said that he would not have a board, and that Mr Camm could do everything. Some of the blocks held by an individual are as far as half a mile apart, and some a little more.

11653. BY Mr PAYNTER: Is there an excess of applicants?—In two cases we had clashes, but that was the fault of the man at the counter at the Lands Department. He might easily have pointed out that it was no use clashing, and shown where there was other land just as good. However, we were able to amicably arrange the matter.

11654. Have you more blocks than applicants?—At the present moment, no. We could have got rid of the lot. It is held up because Scott has asked us not to send any more men down until the drainage question is settled. There are any number of soldier applicants for land at Harvey.

11655. When the soldiers are supplied, why not let others come in?—It seems one-sided; I suppose we must do the best we can for the soldiers.

11656. By the CHAIRMAN: Do you think that the purchase of the estate for irrigation purposes will result profitably to the Government?—It will just about show a return, if carefully handled. Of course we are losing interest now. We have a caretaker there, and his services are necessary because of the stealing of fencing, etc., and the manner in which neglected properties go to ruin when not looked after. I show a small profit on his wages from the receipts I get from grazing and the sale of oranges. All the buildings are in good repair.

11657. the loss will be in annual interest and working charges?—It will be in connection with the irrigation. If there were no irrigation there the property would see its way out without a loss.

11658. With regard to the Stirling estate, what was the area of it and what was the purchase price?—The area was 9,900 acres and the purchase price was £10,000. there has been sold 7,099 acres for £18,333, and there remain unsold 64 acres. The difference in the area is represented by roads and reserves for tuart and lime, totalling 2,737 acres.

11659. What are the arrears of purchase money?—Only £286 0s. 1d. It is a very satisfactory purchase

11660. Why did the Government after purchasing the estate for £10,000, make an apparent profit of £8,000?—There was a good deal spent on drainage; it totalled £6,185. the survey expenses came to £925; the total expended comes to £7,110 (over and above the purchase money of £10,000). Mr Paterson of the Agricultural Bank, Mr Frank Craig, Mr E. M. Clarke, any myself, are the people who went over the estate. When we went there all the beautiful country north and south of the drain was under water. They had tried to drain it in a crude way years before. I do not know if you saw the flood gates. They are built of heavy jarrah. They open outwards to let down the fresh water, and if the salt water comes up they close against it.

11661. the complaint was that the flood gates were not working properly, that the sea had several times pushed them in?—It could not push them in. The gates might have been blocked. Only four years ago three additional bays were put in on the original construction.

11662. Every witness who gave evidence at Capel complained of the defective state of the drainage?—It is one of the most successful corners of the State at all events.

11663. By Mr PAYNTER: The complaint was that it was not big enough?—I can quite understand it in a year like the last year.

11664. By the CHAIRMAN: Speaking in regard to the drainage, one witness said he thought the scheme had been a failure, that it had not been built to cope with a winter such as they had experienced, that the scheme should have been built for all time and to take all waters. He added that he had been out of pocket through the water overflowing the banks?—That is their own fault. I have been down there a dozen times in consequence of complaints through cattle straying, and treading down and wearing away the banks. It has cost thousands of pounds through neglect of the settlers to provide decent fences and properly control their stock. I have recommended that the actual drainage should be fenced with four-barbed wires.

11665. Do you mean that the stock are allowed to roam about?—Yes, all over the place. I myself have chased them out. I have counted 20 head of Dunkley's and 15 head of Norton's. I know them all; I have reason to. The straying cattle has caused a good deal of trouble down there. Members of the drainage board, men like Bentley and Layman, have told me that the whole trouble could be overcome if the cattle were kept from straying. All the settlers are striving to get the good feed on the drainage, an area of some 50 acres. It means a big item to them.

11666. Is the drainage scheme controlled by a board?—Yes, by a local board. Unfortunately, some of the offenders are members of that board. They get so much a year from the Government, and have to subsidise it themselves.

11667. Are the rates recoverable from the land?—I have not gone into that. I have rendered myself very unpopular down there over this straying of cattle question. Some years ago, when Mr Mitchell was Minister, they tried to get me into trouble for reporting that the stock was trespassing. One man reported me to every Labour member he could get into touch with.

11668. On the whole the purchase of the estate has been a success?—Yes, and the drainage is in their own hands. It is a pity that the 50 acres is all occupied by the main drain, 50 acres of lovely country.

11669. Of course the Government have made an invisible profit in connection with the estate, in the reservation of the large tuart and lime area?—Yes, I should think that should come out well if properly managed. That is where this lime company have their lease. It is all excellent lime.

(The witness retired.)

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The Commission adjourned.