THURSDAY, 19th OCTOBER, 1916. (At Kalgoorlie.) — — — Present: Charles Edward Dempster, Esq. (Chariman). Matthew Thomas Padbury, Esq. Ranald McDonald, Esq. JAMES VAUGHAN JUKES, aged 37, Mine Accountant, Associated G.M., Fimiston, married, two children—boy aged 12, girl aged 13— sworn and examined:

176. By the CHAIRMAN: You own or occupy any land in the Esperance district?— I had 1,000 acres, but have abandoned it, although my name is still in the rent list. I took it up in 1909. I had no previous experience of farming. I sank a 600-yard dam and I let a contract for clearing 200 acres, but stopped it after a fair sized area had been rolled down. I made no other improvements. Mrs. Jukes' block adjoins mine. Including rents on the two blocks, I have put about £400 into the proposition. I grew no crop. I think the land is suitable for growing wheat. On this point I had the advice of experienced friends. One in particular, Mr. Best., was a retired South Australian farmer whose boys were working the Pineroo country. Charles Thomas, another friend of mine, is an experienced South Australian farmer. Both these men saw the land in the Esperance district..Mr. Thomas took up the land there himself. He also has now thrown it up and is farming at Wickepin. I have seen good crops in the Esperance district. notably a crop of self sown barley at Grasspatch.

177. How came Mr. Thomas to leave Esperance and go to Wikepin?— He was frozen out like every-body else. He could see no prospects of making good. He was and still is perfectly satisfied with the land. Without transit facilities the Esperance district cannot be worked commercially.

178. If there was a railway would you be satisfied to take your land back and go on with it?— It would require a good deal of consideration. I do not like the outlook for the country worker at all. Taxes are going to increase and the prospects generally are not too good. I have made up my mind to accept the loss. The crux of the position is that one must crop to clear. The first rolling is only a detail. Without the railway to bring super. and take produce, it cannot be done profitably.

179. You would not advocate further experiments?— The Government could do something in the way of establishing the quality of the land.

180. By Mr. PADBURY: Do you not think that others with a particular knowledge of the industry could make it profitable given a railway?— I daresay they could. Experienced friends of mine were satisfied with the proposition.

181. It is only the changed conditions due largely to the year which have changed your ideas?— They have had something to do with it. The outlook to-day is not good. Taxes will be dreadful and the tendency seems to be more and more legislation for the benefits of the towns.

182. You did not go in for implements or stock?— No, my idea was to go quietly in the direction of thorough clearing and cultivation. I understand my dam filled and held. They struck a granite reef in it and did not go beyond 10 feet depth. My block was Location 417.

183. Would you continue to hold your land under option?— I might consider that. It would be a fair proposition.

(The witness retired.) — — — — CEPHAS WILLIAM NENER, aged 52, Grocer, Kalgoorlie, married, five children, three girls, two boys, ages 3 to 13, sworn and examined:

184. B the CHAIRMAN: Do you hold any land in the Esperance district?— I have three blocks outside the town. I have never seen them. I purchased them from Mr. E. B. Johnston, paying him £36 for two of them and £25 for the third. This was about six years ago. I have 20 acres of garden area lease out towards Pink Lake. I got this for 30s. an acre on three years' terms. I have one more payment to make on it. I have to cultivate and fence part of it before I can get the freehold. It is something similar to the land I bought from Mr. Johnston. The number of the block is 116. Mr. Johnston sold his land on 12 months terms with a deposit of about 10 per cent. I have a thousand acres of C.P. in mallee, Location 97. I took that up in 1910. I rolled 100 acres. I then found that things were being hung up so I left it. I paid 6s. and 6s. 6d. for rolling. There are no other improvements on it. Including rents this land has cost me £180 or £200. My original intention was to take the family and transfer down there permanently, going in for mixed farming. Without a railway of course this would be impracticable. As soon as I see a railway showing I will go on. I would not like to lose the block after all I have spent on it. To my mind, it is the best investment in Western Australia.

185. By Mr. McDONALD: Have you had a look at other wheat districts in the State?— I have been through them, but I prefer the Esperance district. As a lad I worked on farms in Victoria. With mixed farming a good living could be made in Esperance.