Rabbits

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Mr.J.M.Craig, continued 174. What length of line would that be? Would 350 miles be near enough?—No; it would be more than that; 600 miles.

175. By the line you have indicated?—Yes.

176. By Mr. Richardson: To Yerilla is about 350 miles?—More than that.

177. By the Chairman: If you went 350 miles from the coast, that would be sufficient for the present?—Would it?

178. Well, what do you say? Four hundred miles?—About 400 miles.

179. By Mr. Harper: I would like to ask Mr. Craig one question before he passes from this point. You have given a definite starting point, have you not? —Not a definite one.

180. You have suggested one?—Yes.

181. That takes in some of the goldfields country, does it not?—Yes.

182. Do you think a fence would be very much safer if it avoided the goldfields country altogether?—I think it would; I certainly think so.

183. By Mr. Wittenoom: It is 100 miles West?—Still you sacrifice a lot of good country, such as Dempster's country.

184. By Mr. Harper: With a view to the cost of maintenance, would it not be advisable to get as near as possible to people settled on the land, so that they should be interested in maintaining the fence?—Undoubtedly.

185. On the line proposed, are there many people settled?—Very few; you see, going up here does not touch much of the goldfields.

186. Southern Cross will be inside the fence?—Yes.

187. But if you were to take the fence 40 or 50 miles or 100 miles West of Southern Cross, skirting the settled line of country?—I see what you mean; you would run through the good country in the Murchison?

188. I am not talking about that, but about before you get there. You would have a lot of barren country fenced in; and would it not be better to have the barren land outside the fence?—Yes; I quite agree with you.

189. And at the same time you would have people interested in keeping the fence in repair?—They would be more likely to assist the Government.

190. Mr. RICHARDSON: The pastoral value of the country left out is a mere bagatelle. Its value is chiefly on account of the value of the gold, and it is just a question whether it is worth while going to the expense of keeping it in the fence.

191. By Mr. Harper: There is another point connected with this; which do you think would cost least in a matter of erection?—The most Westerly fence.

192. By Hon. R. G. Burges: Why?—On account of the carting.

193. By Mr. Harper: It is a waterless country almost entirely?—The farther you go out.

194. The farther you come West the more water you get?—Yes.

195. You have a railway going through it?—I do not think there would be much difference in the construction. You might get more water, although all of the country is very dry.

196. By Mr. Forrest: Is there any water at Widgiemooltha?—Oh , yes.

197. By Mr. Harper: If there was any difference it would be in favour of the Westerly line?—I think they would be more likely to get timber.

198. By Mr. Richardson: But you would have to be careful not to come in the vicinity of watercourses and rivers?—There is not much chance of that; lakes are the only thing.

199. By Mr. Harper: That is a point I would like to have established, viz., that you would recommend, as far as possible, keeping the fence on the Western side of the arid country?—Yes; on the Western side of the arid country.

200. By the Chairman: You must remember that this fence would be longer the farther you bring it to the Westward, on account of the configuration of the coast?—I think it would be shorter.

201. The question is whether we might not be leaving out a valuable pastoral country?—There is a lot of magnificent country here (indicating map).

202. By Mr. Harper: But it is not settled?—No; there is Mt. Vosper and Lake Way, where there is some of the best country in the State.

203. By the Chairman: Would you care to give a more definite answer as to the fencing, after hearing this discussion?—Since discussing the matter, I am inclined to fancy that to start from a more Westerly point would be advisable.

204. Than either your own original proposition or the proposition made at the deputation?—To any other proposition.

205. What shall we say, 100 miles?—I think it would be far better to leave that matter until you have heard Mr. White, who is thoroughly acquainted with the nature of the country.

206. You suggest that the fence should be farther Westward than that of your own proposition or that of the deputation?—Yes.

207. Would it not be advisable to protect all the natural enemies of the rabbit?—Certainly.