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Mallee - Part 2
Image 116
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102 APPENDIX No. 1. — — — — Report on Visit of Commission to Eastern Goldfields and Norseman-Esperance Railway. The Commission left Perth on 16th October and held two sittings at Kalgoorlie, where 12 witnesses were examined. The majority of these hold land in the mallee belt, the remainder having abandoned their holding on account of the absence of railway facilities. One selector has lost his son at the Front and does not intend continuing his holding. At Norseman two further sittings were held and 10 residents gave evidence. The Commission left for Esperance on 25th idem, accompanied by Professor Paterson. A visit was paid to Mr. Crossing's farm a few miles south of Norseman to the west of the Esperance road. The land consists of dark chocolate clay of rich quality, and the crop was inspected promised to return about half-a-ton per acre. It had been sown on land ploughed up dry, a system of cultivation of which the Commission does not approve. The surrounding country is of very high quality, comprised of strong clay land timbered principally with salmon gums, blackbutt, and black ti-tree, which latter is recognised as first-class fencing material. About 15 miles out of Norseman lies Dundas, where a covered dam full of fresh water was observed. Granite rocks which should form good catchment areas are also in evidence. Six miles further south is McPherson's Rock, which covers an extensive area suitable for water conservation purposes. At the 93-mile from Esperance (Stennett's Rock) there is another dam which at the time was full, assuring a plentiful supply for the approaching period of dry weather. This dam cost £900. Half a mile further on is Gilmore's, where formerly a condenser was established. For ten years prior to 1914 crops were grown continuously at this spot, the first of which it is estimated returned 30cwt. per acre without super. Subsequent crops were reckoned at half-ton per acre, and according to Mr. Gilmore's evidence a failure was never experienced. The next place inspected was the 79-mile, where a dam exists. This was made by the Road Board many years ago at a small cost, and proved of inestimable value to travellers and teams. The land in this vicinity is splendid forest country. The next water supply is at Salmon Gums Dam, 65 miles from Esperance, and about a mile north of the Salmon Gums Hotel. The cost of this dam was £900. It is well constructed and may be looked upon as a permanent water supply. Land in this locality is of heavy clay soil, timbered with mallee. At Salmon Gums about 130 acres have been cleared, and returns have been as high as 12cwt., as mentioned in the evidence of Mr. Rogers. A noteworthy feature is that neither of the two dams excavated nine years ago on this property has been empty since they were first filled. It should also be noted that no fallowing was done on Mr. Roger's land, and crops were grown without super and the proper quantity of seed. Continuing the journey along the main road a good class of country is passed through, the timber for seven or eight miles consisting principally of salmon gums with patches of mallee. Several salt lakes are to be seen along the road. At Circle Valley the Commission inspected the farm of Mr. Lewis, who had previously given evidence in Perth, and were enabled to confirm his statements as to his farm and its equipment. There is on the holding a very good dam full of fresh water, the fencing is of wire and dog netting, and the machinery is well looked after. All cleared fields were carrying good grass. The adjoining farm of Mr. Moore was then inspected. The property is well laid out, all work done reflecting credit on the settler. This holding was selected by Mr. Gollan, then of Grass Patch, in 1902, and was purchased from him by Mr. Moore. It was from this property that Mr. Surveyor Middleton took his soil sample, No. 183, which, on analysis, showed a salt percentage of .125 on the surface and .165 in the subsoil, against which it should be observed that a yield of 18 tons of hay was obtained from 20 acres. The owner has no crop in this year, as he contends there is no market for his produce. Mr. Machen's farm was then visited. His crop of 65 acres looked like returning an average of about 12 bushels. Mr. Henchman's farm was also inspected. He had 120 acres under cultivation and expected a return of 10 bushels, this being his third crop. Only 30lbs. of super and 30lbs. of seed were used. The following day Mr. Richardson's farm, near Grass Patch, was visited. The crop apparently would average eight or nine bushels. It was elicited in evidence that better returns could be looked for with fallowing. The crop had been ploughed in in the midst of innumerable suckers. The next farm seen was that of Mr. Shepherd. This is on mallee land. About 500 acres have been cleared, 180 being under crop which, with the exception of a few acres, had been put in on unfallowed ground. This land is quite equal to the Grass Patch country, and hundreds of thousands of acres of similar land are available. Mr. Shepherd's evidence is referred to as to the handicaps under which this hard-working settler labours. On the uncultivated portions of the cleared land self-sown wheats and oats, sow thistles, etc., were in abundance, but Mr. Shepard has no stock to eat this feed off. At Grass Patch farm of Mr. Thompson was visited and the crop inspected. The condition of the cattle, horses and sheep was splendid. Some of last year's hay is stored, and under the glass, showed evidence of last year's rust. Grass Patch farm having been visited by Ministerial and other parties, its merits are well known to the Government. The weight of evidence confirms the conclusion of the Commission that the farm land is typical of hundreds of thousands of acres of mallee country. The Government Dam was also visited. It is situated about 1½ miles west of the main road. The dam has a capacity of 268,400 gallons, and cost £1,000. An inspection was made of Mr. Thompson's farm, where a splendid crop of oats was seen. He is situated in the midst of mallee country, which is all good land. The next stopping place was Scaddan, were nine settlers gave evidence. Mr. Rogers' farm was visited, and his holding inspected. Mr. Rogers has not put his land under cultivation this year, as he has no markey for his produce and is using last season's crop. The cleared land was carrying good grass. The farms of Mr. Shaw and Mr. Baker were then seen. These lie about five or six miles further west of Scadden. On Shaw's farm several clearings were noticed, as well as stacks of old hay and wheat going to waste. The country on this side of the road from Scadden is good strong mallee land which, properly farmed, cannot fail to give satisfactory results. Mr. Baker had growing, on fresh ploughed land, about 90 acres of crop, which looked fairly promising. The holding of messrs. Grigg Brothers was late on inspected. They had in 100 acres of wheat and 40 acres of oats, the crop having been ploughed in. Super to the extent of 45lbs. and 44lbs. of see per acre was used. In these circumstances the result obtained must be considered satisfactory. On the way to Esperance, Mr. Jackson's farm, which is situated on a branch of the Dalyup River, was visited. The land here is lighter than elsewhere, and should prove suitable for mixed farming. Mr. Jackson has a small area set apart as a fruit and vegetable garden, and the Commission were impressed with the results so far obtained—wheat, nine bushels; oats, 16 bushels; and hay 15cwt., average per acre. The Commission spent the following week at Esperance, and paid visits to the various districts adjacent thereto. Sittings were held at the local Courthouse, at which witnesses, numbering twenty-one, were examined.
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