MOA FLAT.

Bruce Herald, Volume VI, Issue 371, 7 June 1871, Page 7

MOA FLAT.

(From Onr Own Correspon lent.) It is a most difficult matter for an " Own " -Correspondent " of a newspaper to contribute news even of the most ordinary nature, without causing some susceptible people to- marine you are treading 1 ov their toes. I have hitherto in my capacity as your' "own," endeavored to avoid giving; even the slightest grounds for complaint in this respect, hut.havo apparently failed, inasmuch as I noticed m one of issues a correspondent writing: from Mount Bender as occasional makes some serious complaints respecting insects, cockatoos, and other vermin, which cause him a great deal of -annoyance. For his special benefit I would recommend the use of a packet of Keating's u lnsect Destroying Powder," which is said to be very efficacious in cleansing " parasites." A petition to the Chief Postmaster, asking for the removal of the post office to the school house, has been canvassed about this neighborhood lately. -A " Charles Rons Marten " has made a terrible onslaught on the residents oi Moa Flat and neighborhood, in objecting 10 j their names beins- retained on the Elec- j toral Roll for Wuikaia, in most cases the ; ground stated being that "the properties •are not of the value required by law." We are at a loss to know hosv he is aware ; what is the value of the different proporties, -seeing 1 that no one has ever seen ibis Rons Marten in the district, and the only party Tiere who has ever held any communication with him is Mr Deputy Upturning Officer It. P. Cocker, who is also one of the victims, so it is scarcely reasonable to think he has furnished Charles Rons Marten with any estimator valuation. I presume that Switzers being the principal polling place for the Waikaia Disrrict, the residents of Mdrose and Moa Flat, and ateu Welshman's Reach and Horse Shoe Bend will require to take a trip to Swifzers {only a distance of about fifty miles) in ■order to sustain their free and independent •rights as electors under our liberal instructions. I understand that a few days since a public sale of sections in the township of ■Roxburgh took place. I ask, in the name •of justice, why did the Government also submit the sections in Melrose for sale 1 Why should the residents and business people be debarred from the privilege of purchasing the land they occupy, and on which they have expended a large amount •of capital in erecting valuable and subrgfajHial buildings ? Is the sale deferred ■in order to enable the Government to squeeze another paltry five pounds out of e.ucli oi the b«:-w\-s ~peo\y]e for licenses ? I trust that the residents will throw off ctheir present apathy and demand justice : •such a stite of affrirs would^not be toler ared in any township on the Thames gold--field. Our co-operative coal mine is being in a most satisfactory manner. 'The system is greatly appreciated, as it "enables people to enjoy the benefit o( good iWge fires during this winter weather at a 'much small-r cost than formerly. The winter has now fairly set in, and as ■r consequence the roads are getting bid There are no men employed in repairing the road between Moa Fiat and Lawrence, and I very much fear before the winter is •over the i-oads will poarcely ha payable ; will, in fact, be wor & e than I ii'i-.lerdtand | 'they were h*i winter. Mount Banger has now assamed ifs wintur cai», and we have experienced a heavy fall of snow during the past week. The Crooks ton block dispute has been -settled, and several parties are now busy fencing in and ploughing up their sections. The far-famed Tshml block is now being Weed in by the lucky squatter, with a *view to its being conserved to his exclusive use, the unfortunate ' ; clodocrats " in the neighborhood having to seek pasturage for their cattle elsewhere. I understand that the minin-r reserve of ten chains, between the island block and the river, is also being fenced in with th° block. This should not be allowed, as it is the only place where the settlers are able to procure firewood and fencing timber. To me it, appears a mystery how the people allowed such a magnificent block of land to be handed over by the Government to the squatter; but I understand an unsuccessful effort' was made to prevent it being done. I