MILLERS AND MILLING.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 240, 5 September 1872, Page 8

MILLERS AND MILLING.

(To tlie Editor.) Sib, — I believe it is two. years and upwards, since Tuapeka first boasted of a flour mill. How well I remember the glorious event, turning on the water to start the turbine, and the smashing of the bottle of champagne, by Mrs. Brooks ; how lustily we all cheered the energetic and enterprising proprietor, Mr, Lawson, when he drew the happy picture of the smiling homesteads, which he felt sure would be the result of the establishment of the Greenhill Flour Mill. I have no doubt had Mr. Lawson remained proprietor, he would have pursued the liberal policy foreshadowed by him at the inauguration. Unfortunately he remained owner only a few months, since then the anticipations of the farmers have been anything but realised, and the smiling home3teads, seem to be as far away as ever. Why should this be so? It is not because the farmers of Tuapeka cannot grow wheat, and that as good as any other part of the province, No ;it is because there is no other mill within twenty or thirty miles, and the present proprietors are unwilling to give the market value for grain, in fact, they enjoy a monopoly and will either buy at their own price, or not at all. No one can question their right to make the best bargain possible, but there is such a thing as being too sharp. In conclusion, every encouragement sheuld be given to farmers to grow wheat, by offering the highest price possible, consistent with a fair profit to the miller ; then I am sure that wheat would soon cease to be sent from here to Dunedin, or flour to be brought from thence, and the pleasant visions portrayed by Mr. Lawson might yet be realised. Fabmee.