"catch" or "chance" crops in some seasons. The yields mentioned are highly profitable.

How many seasons of drought and failure of crops in the mallee have there been in the past 20 years?—There have been two seasons of absolute failure of the crop since the settlement of the mallee, 1902 and 1914. There have also been a number of years of low yield, insufficient in themselves to maintain prosperity. The average yield has, on the whole, been sufficient, and the older settlers are generally in a sound, not to say prosperous condition. Although there have been two failures in 20 years, yet the records of rainfall available, extending back some 70 years, show no other similar seasons.

Do you regard settlement in the mallee and the cultivation of land there as likely to be permanently successful?—I can with absolute confidence assert that wheat can be grown at a greater profit in the mallee soils than in any other part of Australia or of the world. Consequently the answer to that question is emphatically "Yes."

Are there any conditions as to residence or cultivation by settlers in the mallee country?—The principal conditions are:—Residence for two thirds of the first six years, and the putting in of improvements in that time varying with the class of land. Details are as follow, viz.:—

The land will be granted under selection purchase lease, and at the end of six years, if the residence, cultivation, improvements, and all other conditions have been complied with, the lease will be endorsed under the seal of the Board of Lands and Works to the effect that such conditions have been complied with, and at any time with the remaining period of 14 to 34 years—as the case may be—a Crown Grant will be issued on payment of the full amount of the purchase money.

The survey fee must be paid within 28 days of demand and will range from £9 to £11 per allotment.

The amount of loading (3s. per acre) is to be collected in instalments, therefore its cash value, about 1s. 11d. per acre only, will be the limit of expenditure for road and water improvements.

The lease will contain (inter alia) conditions to the effect as follows:—

That substantial and permanent improvement shall be made on the land. If in the first class, to the value of 3s. 4d. per acre before the end of the second year from the date of the lease, another 3s. 4d. per acre before the end of the third and fourth years, and the balance of 10s. per acre before the end of the sixth year of the lease. If in the second class, to the value of 2s. 6d. per acre before the end of the second year from the date of the lease, another 2s. 6. per acre before the end of each year of the third and fourth years, and the balance of 7s. 6d. per acre before the end of the sixth year of the lease. If in the third class, improvements to the value of 5s. per acre must be made on the land before the end of the third year from the date of the lease, and the balance of 5s. per acre before the end of the sixth year of the lease.

The first half-year's rent and lease fee must be paid prior to the issue of the lease.

That the lessee shall go into residence on the land within 12 months after the date of the lease, and shall reside for at least three years and nine months on, or within five miles of, the land during the six years of the term of the lease, and shall also clear and cultivate at least one-fourth of his allotment within two years of obtaining the permit to occupy the land.

That the lessee shall not transfer, assign, mortgage or sublet or part with the possession, or grant the use of the whole or any part of the allotment during the first six years of the term of the lease, and that after the first six years of the term of the lease the lessee shall not sell, transfer, assign, mortgage, or sublet the whole or any part of the allotment unless and until the lease has been endorsed under the seal of the Board to the effect that all the conditions and covenants of the lease during the first six years thereof have been complied with.

No person who already holds or has previously selected the area of mallee land allowed by classification will be eligible to apply.

The total area of mallee land which may be selected is 640 acres within the first class, or 1,000 acres if in the second class, or 1,280 acres if in the third class. Any further area (limited as by the next succeeding paragraph) can be obtained only by purchase from other persons.

That a special condition shall be inserted in the lease, and the Crown Grant, providing that the land referred to therein shall at all times be maintained and used for the purpose of residence or agriculture and grazing, and that no person shall be permitted to subsequently acquire or hold or have an interest in, more than 1,000 acres, if the land be in the first class, or 1,600 acres if the land be in any other class.

That the lessee or grantee or owner shall preserve the timber on, or plant an area of, not less than 3 per cent. of the total extent of the holding. (N.B.—Along the exposed boundary lines, viz., the western and southern, would be preferable.)

The stipulated improvements are less than a man must put on if he desires to make his living off the block. Certain concessions, such as the deferring for the first three years of payment of instalments of the purchase price, are given where the lessee puts in more than the compulsory amount of improvements. During the first six years the settler holds no negotiable interest in his land, being merely a Crown tenant, whose rent payments go towards the purchase price. He can, however, borrow on his improvements under a "licence lien" from the Lands Purchase and Management Board, and, by the consent of the Minister of Lands, from any outside source. The Board's advances are limited to 60 per cent. of the valuation of the improvements, and may not exceed £500 in any one case. Should, however, the lessee die or become insolvent within the six years, the executor or the assignees may sell the land subject to the approval of the Minister for Lands and to the purchaser being eligible to hold the lease and to comply with the original conditions.

What prices per acre, are charged by the Crown for mallee lands?—The prices fixed by statute for the mallee lands are 20s. for 1st class, 15s. for 2nd class, 10s. for 3rd class, and 5s. for 4th class lands. These amounts are payable in half-yearly instalments over 40 years, without interest. Were interest charged, say 5 per cent., the price would be about two-fifths, that is 8s. 6d. per acre for first class land. In practice, owing to certain institutions and others refusing to advance except upon freehold, many settlers pay up in full long before the 40 years. No discount is given in such cases.

Does the Crown clear the main road before settlement or in the early period of settlement and what, per acre, is added to the land for the making of those roads?—On all areas subdivided with the last six years an addition has been made to the purchase prices of a few shillings per acre, for the immediate construction of roads and temporary systems of water supply. As this involves direct cash outlay, interest is provided for by expending three-fifths of the added money only, and in this way the Treasurer obtains a little over 3 per cent. on the money spent. At the outset the addition was 2s. 6d.per acre, 1s., or say 7d. nett, being for roads, and 1s. 6d., or 11d. nett, being for water. The advantage derived from the early provision of roads was found to be so great and so appreciated by the settlers that the amount was increased to 3s., or approximately 11d. each for roads and water supply. On a 700-acre block, which is about the average size, the added charge is £105, of which £63 is spent at the outset on roads and water supply, and which the farmer has to repay at the rate of 52s. 6d. per annum. This sum does not, of course, include any provision for maintenance. The local municipality has the responsibility of the upkeep of the roads, and the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission looks after the water supply. Both bodies carry out additional works and strike rates to pay interest on their outlay and maintenance and management charges.

Under what conditions is a supply of water for domestic and stock purposes given to the settlers, and what charges are made for the supply?—The first water supply provided for settlers, except where underground water is known to exist, or where gravitation channels or the River Murray, is immediately adjacent, is from ordinary excavated earthen tanks filled by the rainfall on their catchments, more or less artificially improved. These vary from 2,000 cubic yards to 25,000 cubic yards in excavation; by means of banking water lying outside, their capacity is practically doubled. In the underground water area, which unfortunately is extremely limited and already practically all subdivided, bores are