42. The entrance channel, and, if and when necessary to be constructed, the breakwater, are placed in alternative positions in the two schemes.

43. Scheme "B" is the more costly, but is the better approach of the two for vessels in heavy weather.

Scheme "A" is recommended as being less costly, and affording a safe berth for vessels in all weathers. The quay would be approachable by vessels in ordinary weather, day or night, without the construction of a breakwater. (This also applies to scheme "B.")

But when the trade of the port warrants the necessity of a safe berth, approaches at all times, and in any weather, it will be necessary to throw out a protecting breakwater.

44. At the shore end of Demspter's Jetty, a thin rod was driven down to 25 feet below water level through sand and alternate layers of seaweed, and further progress was stopped by what appeared to be an extra tight layer of seaweed, and the increasing friction on the rod.

It is therefore fair to assume that all the dredging necessary can be done by a sand dredger, provided with cutting knives to cop with the seaweed. As shown by the Admiralty chart the dumping ground is ample and the lead is short.

45. Between the railway embankment and the proposed quay and the shoreline is an area propose to be reclaimed, when required, by spoil from the shore.

The land at the back of the townsite consists of steep broken sandhills, covered with low scrub, difficult to deal with; in fact, many of the town lots now privately held are in amongst these sandhills.

As there is no room for any extension of the town landwards for commercial purposes, the proposed reclamation will add a large area to that now available, and should be worth at least double the cost of construction.

46. Granite for the construction of a breakwater can be obtained from Dempster Head. It would be advisable to resume part of locations 28 and 29 for this purpose.

47. An estimate of the approximate costs of harbour improvements is appended.

Description of Soil within the Mallee Belt.

48. A noticeable feature of this country is the consistent nature of the soil, which varies from a red loam to a light sandy loam, with patches of grey loam, in the approximate proportions of 40 per cent., 40 per cent., and 20 per cent. These apparent distinctions in colour and texture are not borne out by chemical analysis by the Government Analyst, who states that the three types run into one another.

49. One hundred and fifty-four samples of the soil were taken from the whole area traversed, and specimens of these are shown in the specimen case transmitted to you with this report. Many samples of subsoils were also taken.

50. Of the 1,028,000 acres of mallee country within 15 miles of the proposed railway, there are only about 22,000 acres of "sand plain," with deep sandy soil, and this is mostly to the west of the 40-mile post.

51. The "light sandy loam" varies in depth from two inches to 18 inches, and averages eight inches. Beneath this there is invariably a close loam or clay subsoil, sufficiently sandy to allow rain-water to slowly percolate through it, and remaining moist for a long time after rain had fallen. This top layer of light sandy loam acts also as a mulch in retaining this moisture. The mallee and scrub growth is quite vigorous on this class of soil as on the red loam; in fact, quite the strongest growth of mallee met with, near Mt. Ridly, was in a patch of this light sandy loam.

52. The grey loam almost invariably carries morrell timber (generally light), and a dark, rough-barked, tall mallee, locally known as "black mallee." The grey loam is usually very fine in its virgin state, but seems to become much firmer after cultivation. It carries a fair proportion of clay in its composition, and varies from a dirty white to a dark grey colour. Its depth varies from three to 15 miles, and it then intermingles with nodular limestone. The grey loam disappears at from two to three feet depth and gives place to a layer of nodular or rubble limestone.

53. The red loam, usually three to 12 inches deep, generally has a firm red subsoil of give or six inches, which then gradually merges into the layer of rubble limestone that invariably underlies the three types of surface soil above described.

54. From Norseman to the southern edge of the mallee belt, and from Fitzgerald Peaks to 45 miles east of Grass Patch, this sublayer of rubble limestone was found, averaging from one to four feet in thickness. It was not found in the "sand plain" above mentioned, down to two feet six inches, the depth tried.

55. Generally the country is covered with a vigorous growth of mallee and ti-tree scrub, with occasional patches of salmon gums in the north, and paperbarks as the coast is approached. It is gently undulating, sometimes the undulations are more distinct; and small salt lakes are frequently met with in certain localities. One line of country, dotted with small salt lakes of five to 50 acres, is about five to seven miles east of the proposed railway line, apparently extending south from Lake Dundas. Another belt of lakes was found a few miles north and north-east of Mt. Ridley. The lakes themselves are, of course, worthless, but they are invariably found in country quite up to, and generally above, the average quality. Sometimes, as for instance near Mt. Ridley, the lake banks are 30 to 40 feet high, but usually they are about 15 feet.

56. Between the mallee belt and the coast—about 25 miles—is a stretch of open undulating "sand plain" covered with low scrub. The soil is sandy, and generally has a substratum of ironstone gravel about two feet thick near the surface; under this again being frequently a layer of yellowish clay. This area, having a good rainfall, may yet be found suited to the growth of certain fruits. Occasionally rich swamps are met with (as, for instance, in Dalyup and Myrup agricultural areas, and round Esperance), that, after being drained, will grow crops, vegetables, and fruits luxuriantly.

General.

57. The mallee country is not capable of supporting much stock in its unimproved condition, although there are places where natural grasses grow strongly after the country has been burnt. I obtained samples of native grasses three feet six inches long from country near Mt. Ridley, and also from Gilmore's (95-mile post), and I noticed considerable areas of grassed country north of Fitzgerald Peaks. Nevertheless, in most places it will be found necessary to handfeed any stock taken there, as there is a very little natural feed. The country seems to be well adapted for agricultural machines of all kinds, from rolling the scrub to reaping the crop, moved by motor or oil tractors, until sufficient feed is grown to reduce its present high cost. Generally the land could be cleared ready for the plough for about 8s. per acre.

Hay Crops already Grown.

58. Crops have already been grown at Gilmore's (92-mile), Salmon Gums (64 miles), two years in succession; Lewis' (58 mile), eight or nine years in succession; Grass Patch (46 mile), for several years; Shepherd's (near Grass Patch), last year; and Baker's, at the 30-mile. All the crops were cut for hay for fodder, the freight making wheat crops unpayable. In anticipation of railway communication being granted, about 176,000 acres of mallee country and 45,000 acres of sand plain, mostly in 1,000-acre blocks, have already been selected in this country, until the country was reserved from sale in March last, and many selectors have made a start on their holdings. Soil samples were taken between 1st February and 19th May, when the soil was generally in its driest condition, except for two or three occasional falls of rain.

I am, Sir, etc., A. MIDDLETON,

Engineering Surveyor, Coolgardie Water Supply, 1896; Engineering Surveyor and Assistant, Fremantle Harbour Works, 1895, 1897, 1898; License Surveyor, Lands Department, 1908-1912.