the chairman of the Irrigation Commission in Victoria, a gentleman of very high qualifications as regards irrigation. It was also supported by Mr. Moody and others, that an acres foot was quite sufficient.

12277. If you have half the area diverted to summer crops, Lucerne and so on, you would want more than an acre foot, would you not?▬Yes, but the acre foot is available after the new year. We have never had a case at Harvey where there has been a shortage in the summer flow until after the new year. With fodder crops a considerable amount of watering will be done before the new year with the summer flow. The present season we have not had to draw on the reservoir at all. We have finished watering and now there is about 2 inches of water going over the weir. About this quantity has been running all summer. This year, of course, is abnormal, but even the lowest flow, where we recorded a dry river in April, there was a good summer flow at Christmas time, so I think there is ample water.

12278. To undertake the irrigation of a considerable portion of the area for summer crops, apart from citrus cultivation?▬Yes.

12279. Do you know that the Engineer-in-Chief appears to hold a different view?▬No.

12280. On page 2 of the Engineer-in-Chief's report, he says▬ I am of opinion, however that, owing to the failure of some of the citrus plantations, attributable to various causes, one of which is, I think, apparent, namely unsuitable soil, more of this area will be devoted to fodder and root cops than to citrus growing, and consequently that the present capacity of the reservoir in a dry year may be somewhat strained.?▬He certainly does say that, but I do not hold that view.

12281. You do not agree with it?▬Because it is possible he did not consider the fact of the summer flow to Christmas time, which is an important factor. There is the possibility of cheaply increasing the storage and increasing the summer flow if found necessary. The storage could be increased by about 25 per cent. by erecting flash boards along the weir. These would be placed in position just before the flow ceased to run over, at the end of winter; then again ringbarking might be resorted to at the catchment. That would increase the summer flow, which is an important factor.

12282. You do not consider the country at Harvey treacherous to apply water to for irrigation purposes?▬Not out of the ordinary.

12283. By Mr VENN: What experience have you had previously on irrigation?▬I was with Chaffey Bros. for seven years in connection with their irrigation schemes in the East. I laid out and construct the first section of the Renmark scheme and managed the settlement for about two years. For the remainder of term mentioned I was at Mildura in charge of the construction. I, of course made it my business to familiarise myself with all the other schemes going and I have had other opportunities late of keeping in touch with irrigation generally. I obtained the certificate of Hydraulic Engineer while at Mildura by examination under the Irrigation Act of Victoria.

12284. By the CHAIRMAN: Have you experienced any difficulty with regards to water-logging, or seepage, in connection with any scheme in which you have been associated?▬Yes; there was a difficulty in places at Renmark, and considerable trouble at Mildura. In both those cases there was no artificial drainage whatever, and the result which I described a little while ago, due to increasing the equivalent annual precipitation, of course came about. Very large areas became water-logged at Mildura, in the worst country, where a surface drainage scheme would have been very costly; it was fortunately discovered that there was a layer of gravel about 40 feet below the surface. They constructed wells down to the gravel and drained their blocks into the wells, screening the water with netting on order to prevent the clogging of the drainage strata, and that has produced a first class result.

12285. Did it get over the trouble at Mildura?▬Yes, but it was found necessary also to line a lot of channels. It was done for two reasons. The channels were very large and on the contour running round the side of the hills in sandy soil, they lost water considerably at first, and never took up thoroughly. There they pumped their water and it was found desirable to line extensively, not only for the purpose of preventing water-logging, but to save pumping costs. At Renmark there was the same difficulty but not to such an extent.

12286. How did you get over it at Renmark?—By cementing in some cases and by drains.

12287. They had to find out by actual experience what drainage was required, and then take steps to remove the water?—Yes.

12288-9. Did the authorities in either case compensate the owners of the blocks who had been prejudiced by water-logging or seepage?—I cannot say. The settlement was arrived at after I left Mildura and Renmark, but I know the Government lent money to the settlers. I could not say if they received compensation money or not.

12290. By Mr. PAYNTER: Did you have a free hand in connection with the work at Harvey?—Yes, in a general way. I was subject to all the rules and regulations of the service which are sometimes rather embarrassing.

12291. There was nothing to interfere with the correct carrying out of the work?—No.

12292. By the CHAIRMAN: By whom was the Capel scheme authorised?—By the Moore Government.

12293. By Mr. PAYNTER: Who was the engineer in charge?—I was.

12294. What was the total estimated cost?—It was practically the amount of the expenditure, namely, £6,369.

12295. Were the growers represented by a board, and has the work been carried out with the board's approval?—No. The scheme was put in hand before there were many people there. A drainage board had not been formed and was not formed until after the work was completed. The selling of the land and the construction of the drains went hand in hand. A promise was given when the land was sold certain drainage would be done. At first the land was all Crown land. There was no conference in connection with the scheme. Later on the scheme was improved on the recommendation of the land board. There was a fuss made about the price of the land. The land board inquired into this, and