River and extending about as far as Murrumbidgee is better quality than the interior lands in the Victorian mallee which have been subdivided in the last six years.

How far does the land extend along the route of the proposed extension from Euston for 40 miles into New South Wales?—I have not been 40 miles north myself, but I understand it extends for a considerable distance beyond the 40 miles.

A witness we heard previously thought that 2,000 or 3,000 acres would be a fair area for mixed farming—do you agree with that estimate?—No, the capital involved in bringing a 2,000 or 3,000 acre farm into production is so great that from Victorian experience we could not expect settlers to apply for that amount of land in that district, and possess the necessary capital—they would rather go to more favoured parts of Australia.

The land is nearly all leasehold and may be had at a very small rental—do you think there would be a general desire on the part of settlers to take it up?—Not with Victorian settlers.

You said you considered a line from Manangatang to Euston would be a better line than from Manangatang to Meilman, from the Victorian point of view—what about the New South Wales point of view? Would a line for 40 miles north go through better country than a line from Euston for 40 miles north?—I am not sufficiently acquainted in detail with the country there to answer that question definitely, but I could answer it definitely from the Victorian point of view, viz., that extension to Meilman would leave the best of our land unserved by a railway line.

Generally speaking, and taking into account the difference in the rainfall, do you expect as good results from the other side of the Murray as on the Victorian side from the connection?—Speaking of the Manangatang -Euston extension, I think the results would be equally as good, if not a little better.

By Mr Toutcher : Have you been in the district between Moama and Moulamein?—Many years ago.

Do you know the country?—I know that, speaking generally, there is a considerable extent of very fertile country, but I could not give you the percentage. I know the country further west round Poon Boon, Canally, Yanga, and the Wakool country, and that is all highly suitable for wheat growing; they would all be extensions from Swan Hill or Piangil to Balranald or thereabouts.

By Mr Billson : You know the proposition which has been submitted to us?—Yes, in general terms.

Which do you consider to be the best proposition from a financial point of view?—The more easterly extensions. The Wentworth extension I do not consider justified. The Euston extension is somewhat experimental, but the remainder of the extensions as shown on this map (produced) are, I think, all justified from a wheat-growing point of view.

Which do you think is the best?—I think the Moana to Moulamein proposal is the best, without any question.

For what reasons?—On account of the better quality of soil and the greater amount of rainfall.

And a larger quantity of land would be made available by the route?—Yes.

What is your opinion of the competition between the railway line and the Murray—that is when the line is completed and the locking of the Murray is accomplished—do you think the railway will rob the river of its traffic or vice versa?—As far as Wentworth—or perhaps I may say as far as Mildura—I think the railways will obtain all the traffic. Taking the Murray below Wentworth on the South Australian side, it is more a question as to the inducements offered by the South Australian Government, or perhaps as to whether the South Australian Government will build railways to compete with its own river there.

And if it does?—The railways will rob the river.

But not these railways?—I would consider that any railway to serve the Wentworth country profitable would go to South Australia—to Adelaide.

In that case we would not carry the produce?—If an extension were made from Merbein to Wentworth and northwards, and a railway were afterwards run to Morgan, the South Australian railway would take the traffic. That route passes through much better wheat-growing country the whole way.

What area do you think it would drain below Wentworth—how far?—The whole of the Lake Victoria country and right down to Renmark.

If a line were built from Morgan to Wentworth, would that affect us at Euston and Balranald?—No.

How far would it affect us?—If an extension were made from Wentworth for 30 or 40 miles north-easterly I think that would be the limit of the Adelaide influence.