dozen farmers around here who had only got cornsacks fro bedding for their families and themselves. The Secretary for the National Council of Women sometime back wrote asking to be provided with instances of distress, and I sent them some instances, and they promptly responded by forwarding blankets. In addition to this I have been able to hand out four cases of clothing to the families of farmers in the district, men who before they came on the land were earning substantial salaries, but now, I am thankful to say, the main stress has largely passed away.

8324. By the CHAIRMAN : We announced that we would gladly receive deputations of women and have had several during our itinerary, but they only ask us for assistance in the direction of housing and nursing. Actual distress, however, has not been instanced to us from the Murchison to this point. Indeed, we have asked many witnesses whether the distress existed in their midst and they rather ridiculed and resented the suggestion.?- Of course, thye fortunately are drawing their 9s. from the Board now. Formerly there was another settler by the name of De Gruchy, who has five children. I was able to supply to supply them with two pairs of blankets. Tuckfield, another settler, has three children, and has had a very hard struggle. He is now suffering with a strained back, and the family has been previously sleeping under cornsacks, but, thank heaven, that state of affairs has largely passed away. The Claremont Presbyterian Church generously supplied me with large cases of clothing, and now the present season appears to be a good one. I trust that the terrible hardship that these good people have endured will have now passed away for ever.

8325. What sort of houses do these people live in?- They are beginning to be of a better type, but it is not the poor men who are at fault, it is dire necessity. There are people living here in hessian camps, but there are some who have two roomed stone houses and others weatherboard houses. The men have been slaving day and night, and they have not had means to put up anything better. The Industries Assistance Board have practically closed down our church work. The £5 6s. 8d. about which I told you which is supposed to be the contribution of the district has not been provided, because they have simply been unable to raise it, and, I daresay, my own salary will be behind to the extent of £15 or so, and yet there is not a farmer who has given a bushel of wheat to help to wipe off that liability, but the fact is he cannot be expected to because he is not able to pay his way. One or two farmers did come to me recently, and spoke about the harvest festival, and they asked me if they should each provide a bag of wheat, but of course I told them they must not attempt to do so as I told them they cannot, because if they did they would be liable for prosecution.

8326. If the Council of Churches knew about this, do you think they would do anything?- I cannot say. However, I am going for the first holiday that I have had in 11 years on 1st April next. I must say I cannot blame the Government for the epidemic that we had here a little time ago. I attend the local school once a week, and on one occasion on putting my step upon the door the foetid atmosphere of the schoolroom stopped me. I mentioned the matter to Mr. McClintock, and told him that the Government ought to be liable to a charge of murder if another epidemic were to break out. Both the epidemics were due to a lack of proper ventilation. I am happy to say that the Government afterwards provided fresh air free of charge by making structural alterations in the schoolroom, which has been properly panelled. There has been accommodation for 16 children, and there are now 28 there, while the average attendance is now, I believe, about 25. (The witness retired.) ---/--- FRANCIS JOHN LANDER, Farmer, Yealering, sworn and examined :

8327. When did you come to the district?- I took up land in 1908, before which I had had no previous experience. I am a mining engineer, and was formally Government Inspector of Mines. I hold 2,582 acres, priced at 10s., 9s., and 8s. an acre. I did not think any land could be called first class, in fact, it is all second class. It is four miles from the railway, and ring fenced with sheep proof fencing, and subdivided into three paddocks ; 432 acres are cleared. I have a dam nine feet deep of 1,114 cubic yards capacity. It is not a permanent supply, but was dry only in 1913-14. In addition there is a permanent soak. I am a married man with two children, and one attends school 4½ miles away. I have an iron and weatherboard house, bush stables, machinery shed, full set of implements, and am short only of a reaper and binder. There are six working horses, two cows and a steer. I invested over £3,000 capital in this land, and owe the Agricultural Bank about £1,000, and probably £800 to the Industries Assistance Board and creditors. I have 130 acres of crop on my land, and about 250 acres on another farm, out of which my share partner gets two bushels an acre. The crop will average about eight bushels.

8328. By Mr. PAYNTER : How much if that was fallow?- About two thirds.

8329. By the CHAIRMAN : Have you any statement you would wish to make to us?- We need a telephone here very badly.

8330. By Mr. VENN : Why do you not go in for sheep?- It takes money to get sheep, and the land is not good grazing country, being principally mallee and ti-tree, while the dogs are very troublesome. I did have some sheep, but I had no feed or water for them. I lost 14 in one night from the dogs. One must have at least 600 acres cleared, and then one could have 200 in crop, 200 in fallow, and 200 in grass. Between the grass and fallow the sheep would do well. I cannot understand why the Government demand rent for land that is of no use until it is cleared and cultivated. I think that what they charge for rent ought to be compulsorily devoted to clearing and then the returns to the State would be greater. My own opinion is that we cannot have too much information from the Government experts on cropping and other points, yet Mr. Sutton has been here only once during four years I have been living here. There does not seem to be any continuous effort or inspection on the part of the departmental experts. (The witness retired.) ---/---