in 1908, and the terms of repayment were eight equal quarterly instalments with interest at the rate of five per cent. Five hundred and twenty cows were imported, including those for the Brunswick State farm. In January, 1914, 52 cows and two bulls were purchased in the Eastern States for the Denmark settlers, and distributed amongst Agricultural Bank clients. A proposal to import another 50 cows for the same settlers under practically the same conditions, early in 1916, fell through owing to the high price of cows in the Eastern States, and a small lot of eight cows purchased locally was distributed,

12024. By the CHAIRMAN: What does the State do to assist settlers to procure bulls?—In 1908 a system of importing high class stud bulls and leasing them to settlers was inaugurated, the annual fee being £4. The scheme, however, died out as the experience was not satisfactory. Two bulls were purchased for the hire of the Denmark settlers, and here again the experience was not satisfactory. One of them was turned out and allowed to roam at large by the settler who leased it. A further proposal has been made recently for supplying stud animals to local bodies or representative settlers who would take proper care of them. Stud animals at a nominal service fee have always been available at State farms.

12025. By the CHAIRMAN: I take it that the department has agreed then, that it is best to leave this matter to the settlers themselves?—Yes; that is really the position.

12026. What steps are being taken towards inaugurating herd testing?—The only district in which this has been done by the department is at Capel, where the bulk of the cream goes to the butter factories. I was sent down early in 1917 for the purpose of making tests, and spent some little time in the district. It was proposed that this testing should be carried out annually.

12027. Does the department make any check tests of cream sold to factories. If not, what supervision does it contemplate exercising?—No check test of cream sold to factories has yet been made, nor is it contemplated exercising any supervision over cream testing in private factories.

12028. Is the department contemplating the institution of a motor or fast transport service to convey the cream to market, especially the produce of the Margaret River district?—Recognising the difficulties under which settlers in the Yalingup district labour in connection with the delivery of cream to the butter factory, the Minister in 1917 approved of a subsidy at the rate of 6d. per can. It is not proposed to institute the motor transport service referred to.

12029. From your answers I conclude that there is no general intention to proceed with the testing of dairy herds in a systemised way?—Well, at the time that I carried out the test referred to I was employed in the Lands Department, and my services were loaned for this work. Last year I could not get away to carry it on, and apparently there were no other men available.

12030. Do you think it would be a good thing if done annually?—Yes, I consider it would be a decided advantage to settlers. The time I did the test was in January and February, and the results were relatively high in consequence of the feeding value of the pasturage, which, as you know, at this time of the year gives good results.

12031. By Mr. VENN: Would not a November test be best?—Yes. That is the time of the year. You will understand that to do this systematically would take a great deal of time, but the advantage of testing cows is not only in regard to the actual test, but the opportunity it gives of educating the settlers as to the best types of cow to keep, etc. One could test 50 samples per day in the laboratory, but to go on to the settlers' farms and do the thing properly takes a long time. I consider it is absolutely useless unless the inspector goes out and takes the samples himself, weighs the milk, and makes the test. I used to give certificiates on the tests made, and took all particulars and the description of the animals, etc. You see that the test must be done in a practical manner. If you simply test any samples that the settler brought it would be impossible to give a certificate.

(The witness retired.)

JOHN PERCY CAMM, District Surveyor, Bridgetown, at present employed as Superintendent of Soldiers' land settlement, sworn and examined:

12032. By the CHAIRMAN: The Commission desired certain information in respect of land available for selection in the South-West and other particulars from your department and realised that it would be quite unfair to ask you to supply these without giving some opportunity for the preparation of the answers. The questions were communicated to your department on the 4th April and I will now proceed to put these questions to which I believe you have answers prepared.

What is the area of the State south of the Moore River lying between the grain-growing areas of the State (See Agricultural Commission's progress report and the late Surveyor General's map illustrating those areas) and the Indian and Southern Oceans?—The areas of the State South of the Moore River lying between the grain-growing areas of the State and the Indian and Souther Oceans is about 17,600,000 acres, as coloured "yellow" on accompanying map.

What is the area within the belt which the department estimates is timber country unsuitable for agriculture?—About 3,000,000 acres for permanent reservation. (These figures are supplied by Mr. Lane-Poole.) The definite answer cannot be given until the classification now in progress is completed and after the classification now in progress is completed and after consultation among officers of the Lands and Forestry Departments, the boundaries for the permanent forest reserves have been decided upon.

What area has been alienated within that belt?—Two million nine hundred and twenty one thousand acres.

What is the area that the department now has actually for sale as agricultural land suitable and approved for selection?—Probably 100,000 acres (within this belt), but cannot certain.

What is the area which the department considers available for future subdivision and agricultural