Having so definitely expressed himself against the immediate opening up of the mallee, Mr. Paterson's evidence is disappointing, and leaves the impression that he based his opinions upon report and rumour rather than personal knowledge and observation.

Evidence of Trustees.—An examination of the evidence of the other trustees of the Agricultural Bank discloses a want of knowledge of mallee farming methods as practised in the other States, and their selection in evidence of Mr. Bretag as a typical mallee farmer, with Eastern States' experience, is unfortunate, as it came out in evidence that this witness ceased to engage in mallee farming in the Wimera district at the early age of 18 years. His experience was, therefore, limited. The Commission does not agree with Mr. Richardson that Mr. Bretag's land is "quite the average of the mallee lands." On the contrary it must be regarded for the greater part as third-class land.

The trustees expressed surprise that areas cultivated for three years did not produce an average of more than eight bushels. This is not abnormal, as is explained in the section of this Report dealing with Crop Returns, low yields being general on mallee lands in early years. The same remark applies to grass, about which Mr. Richardson stated in evidence "the most damaging feature in the Esperance district, apart from wheat, is that grass will not grow on land cultivated and fertilised for three years."

The absence of phosphates from the soil, to which reference is made, was advanced as a reason for keeping the Pinnaroo lands of South Australia closed against settlement, but the use of superphosphates overcame that defect, and to-day Pinnaroo is a thriving wheat district.

Mr. Cooke, in his evidence, admitted that he was not acquainted with mallee farming conditions in South Australia.

All the trustees, it will be observed, were reporting from the standpoint of the Bank's security, and it is only fair to state that the opinions of Messrs. Richardson and Cooke were based on experience gained in general, as distinguished from mallee, farming districts. As pointed out elsewhere, the mallee has certain peculiarities which preclude the application of ordinary farming standards in gauging the possibilities of success attending its settlement and development.

OCCURRENCE OF SALT IN ESPERANCE SOILS.

The report of Professor Paterson is included in the Appendix hereto.

It will be observed that soil samples were taken from 24 localities. Of these 11 may be omitted from consideration for the reasons given hereunder:—

Sample No. - Reason for Elimination. 1 - Taken from a salt patch extending over only one acre out of thousands of acres of good land. 11 - Taken from a salt flat covered with samphire. 22 - Taken from where crop merged into salt lake. 13 - Taken from outside the Esperance district. 18 - Taken from outside the Esperance district, viz., at Meckering, from land bordering on a salt river. 23 & 24 - Taken from outside the Esperance district, viz., at York. 19 - Taken at 82-Mile, which is outside the scope of the Commission's enquiry. 21 - Taken at the 120-Mile, which is outside the scope of the Commission's enquiry. 5 & 3 - Although included amongst sample of land acknowledged to be "safe," these were the only two samples taken from an area of 900 square miles, the country including coast sandhills, sandplain, and river lands. It is unreasonable to base an opinion of such a large tract of country on such slender evidence.

This leaves 13 samples to be taken into account, and on the land from which these were collected, the Commission's comments are as follows:- -

Sample No. - Comments. 2 - Is typical of a large area of good mallee country likely to give satisfactory wheat returns. The crop reports of the district confirm this view. 4 - This is similar to adjoining cleared land, and its suitability for wheat growing cannot be questioned. 6 - This is typical of Salmon Gums and Circle Valley country, and is similar to adjoining land, which according to the evidence, produce fair crops. 7 - This is typical of Scaddan country, which the Commission regards as below the average, although producing fair crops. 8 - Typical of the surrounding area and within 20 yards of a promising crop. There can be no radical difference between the two areas from a farming point of view. 9 - It is certain the same results would be obtained from this land as from that adjoining and which is growing crop. Of the latter, two acres of fallow gave 23 bushels per acre last season—see photo of crop in Appendix. 12 - This land is characteristic of surrounding country on which good crops have been grown. 14 - This land is only 10 yards away from cropped land. The similarity of the two areas cannot be disputed—see photograph. 16 - Typical of adjacent country where good crops have been grown. 17 - Typical of thousands of acres of country in the district and undoubtedly good land.