1.—12 a.

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[W. NICHOLSON.

where it is necessary to give the farmer permission to erect his cowshed in the best possible place, provided he took reasonable means for observing cleanliness ?—The distance is only 30 ft. 55. But if you have to come 30 ft. on the road-line?— Well, I would not like to have a cowshed within 30 ft. of a dwellinghouse. SG. Mr. Witty, .] In the old days many sheds were put up within 30 ft. of a dwellinghouso. Would you compel the owners to move them if they were kept thoroughly clean?—lf things were kept perfectly clean I do not suppose they would be compelled to make any alteration. 57. Hon. Mr. McNab.} What is the value of your company's annual production? —We have a turnover of over £300,000. 58. Mr. Hogg.] Have you any experience in connection with the manufacture of cheese?— No. The biggest part of our business is butter. 59. Can you say that greater care has to be exercised in connection with cheese than with butter?— Yes, most decidedly. The separator takes a considerable amount of dirt out of it. 60. The cheese is the more sensitive? —Yes. Gl. And that accounts for our butter standing so high, while our cheese is more indifferent? —Yes. 62. Then, you think some fault is attached to the makers?— Yes. 63. In regard to the regulations, you say the)- should not be administered in a oast-iron manner? —It is like the laws of the Modes and Persians. 64. In the case of a restricted area for a man's buildings, you would not expect him to do impossibilities ?—No. 65. The Inspector should be then given a very free hand and should modify the circumstances according to the peculiar oircuthstanoes ? —Yes, to a certain extent, and I have no doubt they will from my experience of them. 66. Mr. Macphersnn.~\ The district I referred to before is to the north of Waveiley. In that district there is a ridge being opened up. There is no level land for a distance of forty square miles. Would you not consider it a very great hardship for a settler in that country not to be allowed to erect a cowshed right abutting on the road-line? —They would not be allowed to do that in Otago. 67. Would you consider it a hardship with no other ground available?—A man would be in a corner. 68. Do you consider it right that he should be allowed to erect his cowshed near the roadline? —Yes; I see no objection to it. , 69. Hon. Mr. McNab (to Mr. J. W. Deem, Inspector in charge of district referred to).] Do you know the class of country referred to by Mr. Macpherson ?—Yes. 70. In that class of country where it is impossible to get a sufficient level area, what use is the country put to?—lt is sheep-country. I could not see a case where dairying could be carried out. I have been in 90 per cent, of the dairy sheds in Taranaki, and I cannot recall one in a situation as that referred to. Mr. Deem further examined. (No. 9.) 1. Mr. La?ig.] Does it occur in that district that any large number of farmers put their yards close against the road for the convenience of carting to the factory ?—Yes; but it is bad, because they get the dust from the road into the shed. 2. According to these regulations they would have to shift their buildings, because stock would get within 30 ft. of it?— That is not in regard to the road. 3. Mr. Macpherson.] Do you know the country I was referring to? One of the cases I cite is a property leased by Mr. Symes, which 1 was on?—He has a number of properties. I cannot recall the one you describe. 4. You do not know the property?—l know most of Mr. Symes's properties, but not one of the description stated. 5. Do you know the road I refer to—the road runs along the main ridge? I was informed it extended for forty miles, and the country was identical?—l do not think there is dairying done for that distance. 6. There is some milking going on?— Only milking one or two cows. 7. Would not these regulations apply?—No; they are exempt. Tuesday, 22nd September, 1908. Joseph George Harkness, Secretary of the National Dairy Association (Limited), examined. (No. 10.) Mr. Harkness made the following statement: I desire to speak, in the first place, as a dairyfarmer who has had experience for the last eighteen or twenty years, especially in the Taranaki District, also as a factory secretary and manager for seven or eight years before coming to Wellington. In the first place, I desire to say that we have made a distinct advance in the manufacture of our butter and cheese during the last twelve or fifteen years, but T regret to say, from my experience, we have not made a corresponding progress in the control of the raw material. Tt is on this point that it is desirable more stringent measures should be taken in connection with the dairyfarmer, that he may give a good-and a pure article to the dairy factory, so that we may make an article of the highest quality. It has been urged by some that this at present is not desirable, because we are making an article to-day almost equal to the Danish and bringing in some cases almost an equal price. The answer to this argument is that the butter and cheese made in New