Mallee - Part 1

Image 28
image 28 of 89

This transcription is complete

the cost of super. would still be enormously high if brought all the way round Coolgardie.

199. By Mr. PADBURY: Would not the price you would obtain compensate for that?—Even if that did, it would not be profitable to the State as a whole.

200. By the CHAIRMAN: You would have specially low rates over long distances?—But it is against all economics to bring in super. right round Coolgardie instead of sending it by water. It would not be economical to the State as a whole.

201. If a big supply were required the freight by water would be very much lowered?—I suppose so.

(The witness retired.)

WILLIAM POTTS, aged 53, Headmaster Boulder Central School, married—two daughters, one son, ages 20 to 26—sworn and examined:

202. By the CHAIRMAN: Do you hold any land in the Esperance district?—There is a thousand acre block in my name, but I have not done anything with it. I took it up five years ago and paid the rent for two years. I know nothing about land. I had my son educated with a view to going on the land. Any opinion I may have in regard to the land is only what I have gathered from others. On receiving a forfeiture notice I explained that I was holding the land for my son who was at the Front, and the department agreed to allow the thing to remain in abeyance. More recently I have received an other forfeiture notice. Of course I have the first letter from the department to protect me. In taking up land for my boy I had regard to the splendid class of people among whom he would find himself in the district. I do not know of anyone taking up land down there for speculative purposes. I have spent no money whatever on the land.

203. By Mr. PADBURY: You think those who took up my land should have first chance, even if they paid no rents?—Certainly. They all have the utmost confidence in the district, but without transport facilities they can do nothing.

204. By the CHAIRMAN: Have you any knowledge of horses and cattle?—None whatever.

(The witness retired.)

JOHN STEVENSON, recalled and further examined:

205. By the CHAIRMAN: You promised us details of some freight charges?—Yes. Freight on an Acme reaper and binder from Fremantle and Albany by the Melbourne Steamship Co. cost £3 18s. 9d., and on the State steamer from Albany to Esperance, £7 0s. 4d. The wharfage was £1 4s. 6d., or a total of £12 3s. 7d. freight charges from Fremantle to Norseman would have been £6 7s. 6d. The machine originally cost £36 16s. 6d. landed at Esperance in 1914. Last year I got it via Norseman from West Guildford and it cost £6 3s. landed, including 10s. storage and 1s. agent. Freight on general merchandise from Adelaide to Esperance is only £1 10s., but from Albany to Esperance by the State steamer it is £2.

206. It is 22s. per ton on general merchandise from Albany to Esperance?—My £2 per ton I find was from Guildford, but I am not wrong in respect to the binder. Freight on a seed drill by railway from North Fremantle to Norseman cost me £6 7s. Freight on a four-furrow plough and dray from Adelaide to Albany cost £4 8s., and from Albany to Esperance by the State steamer £6 14s. 6d. Horses cost £4 5s. from Adelaide to Albany I have not the figures from Albany to Esperance. Railage on a stripper from North Fremantle to Norseman cost £8 1s. 10d., unloading and agency, 11s. Railage on a winnower from North Fremantle to Norseman was £3 10s. 10d., with unloading 4s. 6d. On super. I paid £6 per ton from Esperance to Grass Patch. Last year I paid £4 10s. freight from Norseman to Grass Patch because he happened to be going back empty. Even a railway from Esperance will never make wheat growing profitable in that district; it would be killed by the freight rates along the coast.

(The witness retired.)

The Commission adjourned.