EVANS FLAT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 201, 7 December 1871, Page 5

EVANS FLAT.

(From our own Correspondent.)

It is at all times a pleasant duty to have to write of steady and sure progress. I may first state that the extensive alterations and out-buildings connected with our flour mill, together with a substantial and commodious dwellinghouse, whore one of the proprietors intends residing, .will be completed in another week. The workmanlike manner, and the completion of the alterations and new buildings iv bo short a space of time, reflects the highest credit on Me%srs. A. and A. Littlejohu, who are the architects and builders. The mill is provided Avith first-class machinery, so that if the quality of the wheat is good, the proprietors can at all times guarantee a first-class article. For the last six weeks the mill has beeu at work night and day ; it has induced farmers to turn tlieir attention more to the growth of wh«o.(< than they have hitherto done.

I am glad to say there is every likelihood of a post-office being established in this district. A petition was presented through Mr. Sanderson to the Chief Postmaster, and from the conversation he had with that gentleman we are likely to have our request granted. I may also state that a want that has been long felt in this district, and for which au effort was made on a former occasion to obtain, but without success, is now likely to be realised, viz., a public school. The Inspector of Schools visited this district on Saturday, tho 25th nit., and examined the scholars. Not being a ie»ular school day, there was not the usual attendance ; but by ten o'clock there were twenty-one children present, all neatly dressed, and whoso very happy appearance would seem to say to the Inspector, " We do want a school, sir." The Inspector expressed himself satisfied with the progress made by the children during the three months the school has been established.

The crops in our district are looking remarkably well, and as regards the. activity and labour bestowed upon our gardens, I see from your last issue you have had the best of proof in having received a sample of early potatoes and e;reon peas. In conclusion, let me draw the attention of the Inspector of Roads to the Bridge over our river, which seeuis an eye-sore to the inhabitants, and frequently remarked on by strangers, as to the seeming carelessness of the Uovernnmiib in allowing a most substantial bridge, which was erected at considerable expense, to go to decay for want of a few pounds of paint. Now, paint is not sjmred on each side of our bridge, by the proprietors of the mill on the one hand, and Mr. Hopkins of the Thistle Hotel Oil the other, who is erecting a large timber yard and neatly fencing off the ground along the main road, which is all being well painted, leaves our bridge to look still more in want of the same.