for 11 years. Previously I was farming at Dalyup for nine years. I went in for mixed farming, including fruit, poultry, pigs, and wheat growing. I started farming on the Dalyup about 1897 on two blocks. For nine years I cropped the one piece of land, about 40 acres, under wheat. I had very good returns every year, never less than 10 bushels to the acre, or 35 cwt. of hay. I always used one cwt. of super, sowing by hand. I planted four acres of an orchard, which did very well. It came into bearing two years after putting in the first trees. I had about 400 vines. I brought the fruit into Esperance. In those days I had a ready sale at 1s. a pound for apricots, nectarines, and peaches. That lasted for five years. I sank two wells. I kept about a dozen head of cattle and the same number of horses. When I started I had a little capital. I spent £500 on the Dalyup in fencing, plants, etc. I got a fair return for my labour and outlay while I was there. I sold out in Consequence of bad roads and depleted market. It requires four horses to bring in 25cwt. The difficulties became too great and I sold to George Irvine, who gave me £350 for the property without stock. I think he has done very well on it since. Previous to farming, I did a lot of prospecting all over Western Australia from Fraser's Range and sold them at Kalgoorlie and Kurnalpi. I travelled through the mallee land on horseback a good deal. It often struck me that that land should be opened up for farming. I remember Grass Patch starting, and I understood they were getting very good crops.

415. By Mr PADBURY: Was it any trouble to get water through the mallee when you travelled?— There was no water. We had to go right round and pick wet weather. I have since been sorry I had no sheep on my farm. We used to make everything, our own butter, bacon, preserves, and the like. I have no faith in the sand round about Esperance, but I am not a practical farmer. I think the mallee land would be all right for corn growing. The settlers in the mallee would all be satisfied if they had railway facilities.

416. By the CHAIRMAN: Can you tell us anything further of value?— I think not. What little I have seen of the mallee farmers I should say they have not sufficient strength to work the land. They start in too small a way. One man had to cart water 16 miles to plough his land and work it. They have got over the worst difficulties, especially in regard to water.

(The witness retired.)

THOMAS EDWARDS, aged 69, engineer and architect, now doing general work, Esperance, married, three sons, one daughter, youngest 18 years sworn and examined:

417. By the CHAIRMAN: How long have you been in Western Australia?— Nearly 23 years, and all the time in the Esperance-Norseman district. I have three small building blocks in Esperance, but no C.P land. I have no practical knowledge of farming. I was at Grass Patch in the early days. I put up large buildings for Mr Gollan at both Grass Patch and North Patch, and remained with them through the harvest of that year. They had a splendid crop. That was about 1903-4. Mr Gollan was in charge. He left the Patch because the company sold the property. I was there earlier still when Mr Higgin botham, the first manager, was there. I used to spend a few days there repairing the farm machinery. I was the first mayor of Esperance. The population here then was about 2,500 in and about Esperance. In those days, 1896, the Customs duties were next to those of Fremantle and Geraldton. I have a newspaper record of it and will supply it to you. Daniel Hay, of North-terrace, Adelaide, has told me there is an unlimited area of farming land between here and Norseman via Clear Streak. In the early days wherever on the road there had been a camp we found a strong growth of young corn.

(The witness retired.)

MAURICE DELLACA, aged 36, native of Switzerland, farmer, Pink Lake, married, two sons, two daughters, ages 2 to 8 years-sworn and examined:

418. By the CHAIRMAN: Have you had experience of farming?— Not in Australia. I have been in Western Australia for 16 years, and for two years and three months on the land in this district. I have 253 acres of C.P , including a homestead, No. 768, and a garden area of 20 acres. I have cleared and ploughed six acres and fenced 20 acres. I had farming experience of root crops in Switzerland. Before coming down here I was working on the goldfields prospecting and tributing. I think the land I am working on is good enough for any root crops. I have grown vegetables with very good results. I have an acre of potatoes in and about an acre of vegetables all doing well. I use 7 cwt. of potato manure to the acre. I think I could make a living on the land if there were a market. I do not see how I am going to get a market without a railway.

419. By Mr PADBURY: Your crops turned out fairly well last year?— Yes, fairly well. About an acre and a half was put in badly. This year they were in earlier and are looking much better. I am in low land with plenty of fresh water.

(The witness retired.)

ROBERT HENRY DEAN, aged 53, shipping agent and Government wharfinger, Esperance, married, no children- sworn and examined:

420. By the CHAIRMAN: Do you own or occupy and land in the Esperance district?— I have 10½ acres of garden area, the block where I am living, and part of the next, together with a residential block on the Pink Lake-road. I have had a good deal to do with the shipping business here during the last 16 years. The freights along the coast have been very heavy. At present there are special charges which came into operation last year on all kinds of implements. The rates have been materially reduced. I can supply you with the schedule. I have been in Esperance since 1895. Super has been supplied to the farmers this year at £6 5s. Last year it was £6 7s 6d. I have 19 tons on hand for sale. It has now been reduced to £5 15s. I received those instructions last mail. Freight on super from Albany is 15s per ton and from Fremantle 30s. by the State steamer. Freight on a binder was something like £11 a couple of years back. Prior to that it came by