959. You go on a few miles and it becomes much better and fairly regular?— I would not say it was much better.

960. Where do you consider the best land is found in the mallee?— From Grass Patch to Circle Valley. There is another good patch west of Scaddan. To the east there is some poor land, and from Scaddan to Grass Patch there is also poor land. There is good mallee land east of Grass Patch, and there is some poor land to the west. The most consistent belt of mallee land appeared to me to be from Grass Patch to Circle Valley.

961. By the CHAIRMAN; Were you ever out west of Scaddan?— Yes, west of the Dalyup River, four miles from Scaddan. I have not gone into the question of the classification of the land because that is a matter for the surveyors. You speak about my having formed an opinion. I could only go down there once and I must form an opinion.

962. You must have a pronounced opinion?— I have given you my opinion now.

963. You could hardly account it possible to have successful farming 500 miles from a market and 80 miles from a railway?— I would not consider it possible to farm successfully 80 miles from a railway.

964. By Mr. PADBURY: How far out from a railway do you consider it possible to farm successfully?— Not more than 12½ miles out. I think myself that settlers should be within 10 miles of the railway. Much depends on what the price of wheat is. If farmers got 4s. 9d. every year they could go out a few more miles from the railway.

(The witness retired.)

The Commission adjourned.