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In addition to the Coondle and Norman estates the Toodyay 

 commonage offers some scope for additional settlement near 

 Newcastle. This area is 17,200 acres in extent ; it is under the 

 control of a board, and its nearest line is three miles north-west of 

 Newcastle. The commonage is well adapted for fruit growing, and 

 some of the largest oranges produced in the colony have been sent 

 from the immediate neighborhood. The best of the soil is a 

 chocolate loam that cannot be surpassed, but no large area in one 

 piece is obtainable for the cultivation of cereals. Patches of good 

 land, about 50 acres in extent, may be selected. The commonage 

 is fairly well watered by soaks and springs. No blocks granted 

 there have been thrown up. The board has power to refuse 

 selectors' applications, but they never do so. The south-east corner 

 of the commonage has been settled for several years by people who 

 have prospered on their holdings. 



The Toodyay reserve embraces the only other Crown lands in 

 the district that it would be advantageous to take up. This block 

 lies north-west of Newcastle, in the same line as the commonage ; 

 the reserve is a mile nearer Newcastle, and comprises an old 

 townsite. The original area was 800 acres. As a townsite the land 

 had no attractions for investors, as it was so close to Newcastle that 

 the volume of trade was drawn to that place. Ft)r years it lay idle, 

 w r hile it w r as enviously regarded by fruit gro\vers, who recognised in 

 its deep well drained land and situation the ideal place for successful 

 operations. As time went on and settlement came to a standstill in 

 the district, as regards the development of fresh centres of industry, 

 the Government were importuned to throw open the townsite for 

 intense culture. The request was pressed by the present 

 Commissioner of Crown Lands (Hon. George Throssell, M.L.A., of 

 Northam), before hie accepted the ministerial portfolio, in pursuance 

 of the active interest he has always manifested in fostering the 

 productive industries of Western Australia. He was supported by 

 Mr. B. D. Clarkson (who, at that time, represented Toodyay in the 

 Legislative Assembly), Mr. A. N. Piesse, Mr. O. Bull (one of the 

 largest vignerons), and others, and so good a case was mack- out that 

 the proclamation of the townsite was revoked in February, 1896. 

 The land is now obtainable under special provisions which have 

 regard to the valuable character of an area that has not only been 

 proved to be remarkably well adapted for oranges, lemons, apples, 

 peaches, and grapes, but is also within less than three miles of the 

 Newcastle railway station. When a block is applied for the 

 applicant has to lodge with the Government land agent 

 10 per cent, of the upset price of the land ; which is 2 per acre. 

 The application is advertised in the Gorcnitncnl (ni:icllc for one 

 month, and the block is then submitted at auction and sold to the 

 highest bidder. If the man who asked that the land should he- 

 put up should not be the purchaser, his 10 per cent, deposit is re- 

 funded. An idea of the exceptional quality of the property will be 





