Mr. W. J. Begley, continued.

839. By the Chairman: And from your previous experience in Victoria, you think there are enough rabbits here to justify these fears?—Yes, I am quite satisfied, from what I have seen and the information I have received, that there are a very large number of rabbits in Eucla and the surrounding district.

840. Did you gather any information as to the invasion of rabbits farther West than the point to which you yourself travelled?—Yes, from Mr. James Cook.

841. Where is his station?—It is 2½ miles out of Eucla. He was camped there. I am not aware whether the station is owned by him or not, but he is stopping there.

842. Is that West of the place to which you travelled? —I met Cook on the 26th November at Moppin Station; he had then just travelled from Kalgoorlie. I asked him if he could give me any information concerning rabbits, and he said he could. He told me the first rabbits he met were at Widgiemooltha, and that he had met them continuously right down to Madura Station, and that as he came South they seemed to get thicker.

843. By Mr. Richardson: Continuously from Widgiemooltha down to Madura Station? —Yes.

844. By Hon. R. G. Burges: Have you ever been North of Eucla at all?—No,sir.

845. Have you had any report?—Well, I do not think there is any settlement North of Eucla, so far as I know.

846. By the Chairman: Then you are still prepared to substantiate the report you made some time ago? Of course it would be absurd to try and tie you down to actual numbers. But generally speaking, you are prepared to substantiate the report that there are millions of rabbits in that part of the district? —Yes, by the witnesses I got information from in the Eucla district.

847. And also from your own actual knowledge? —Yes.

848. Did you see enough rabbits to lead you to suppose that the information you got from the various witnesses was absolutely correct? —Yes; I certainly did.

849. By Mr. Richardson: Your personal observation quite agrees with the reports you heard? —Yes. Mr. Ryan gave me the information that the day before I arrived three natives were sent out to see how many rabbits they could catch, and they brought in 43 in a few hours, caught on the sandhill just by.

850. By Mr. Wittenoom: By dogs? —Yes. When I arrived at a place 60 miles from Eucla three or four natives had been sent out, and had brought in 80 rabbits.

851. By Mr. Richardson: When you were there?—I did not see the rabbits, but Kennedy told me.

852. By the Chairman: And you were satisfied that occurred?—Yes.

853. Was that the day you arrived or the day before?—It was the day I arrived.

854. That was 60 miles Westward of Eucla?—Yes.

855. By Hon. R. G. Burges: Where is McGill's station?—So far as I know it is Kennedy and McGill's station.

856. Is McGill there now?—Yes; I think so. Mr. Ryan, J.P., is here, and could give you very valuable information.

857-8. By the Chairman: Is he in Perth?—No; but I understand he is in Northam, and he could substantiate a great deal I have said.

(The witness retired)

The Commission adjourned until Friday, the 8th March.

——————

FRIDAY, 8TH MARCH, 1901.

—————

Present: Mr. R. E. Bush, Chairman. Mr. A. R. Richardson. Mr. D. Forrest, M.L.A. Hon. R. G. Burges, M.L.C. Mr. W. T. Loton.

—————— Mr. W. Paterson, examined.

859. By the Chairman: What is your official title?—Manager of the Agricultural Bank.

860. Will you just state, very shortly, what are the operations of the Agricultural Bank; the nature of the business?—To settle people permanently on the lands of this State.